Thanks to the five-wicket haul from Kuldeep Yadav, India were able to bundle out the West Indies side for 248 runs in the opponent’s first innings during the second fixture at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. Quite surprisingly, despite being in the field for over 80 overs and getting a lead of 270 runs, captain Shubman Gill and the management decided to enforce the follow-on.

The pitch at the Arun Jaitley Stadium didn’t break a lot, which meant that the bowlers would have to toil hard for the wickets on that 22-yard pitch. It was also a slow turner, which made it easier for the batters to spend time in the middle. The home side could have actually thought of batting aggressively for 30-40 overs and declaring. But they took a different route.

See Also: [WATCH] Kuldeep Yadav celebrates 5-fer with Jayden Seales' wicket during IND vs WI 2nd Test

However, India enjoyed early success with the wicket of Tagenarine Chanderpaul in the ninth over. Mohammed Siraj went short at the batter who looked to pull the ball over the mid-on region. However, he wasn’t fully committed to the shot, and that confused character brought his downfall.

Watch: Shubman Gill grabs terrific catch to send back Tagenarine Chanderpaul during IND vs WI 2nd Test

Once the left-handed batter wasn’t sure of the shot, there wasn’t much power on the ball as it went in the air. Gill was standing at the mid-on region and scurried back to keep his eyes on the ball. He dived forward with both hands and completed the sensational catch to send the unhappy batter back into the shade.

Another addition to the compilation of cool Shubman Gill catches https://t.co/F6HAvOnzhb pic.twitter.com/GmdmoSp27i

— samidha. (@haantohh) October 12, 2025

Soraj drew the first blood in the second innings as he also equaled Blessing Muzarabani with 36 wickets to be the joint highest wicket-taker in the ongoing year in the longest format. West Indies’ poor opening partnerships continued. The 21-run stand in the first innings of the game was their highest in the last 10 occasions.  

It had been a great passage for Gill, who has been excellent in he field with catching and leadership, along with scoring truckloads of runs with the bat in the department.

India’s fielding performance during the Asia Cup 2025, especially at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, wasn’t up to the mark as they dropped several catches and continued to struggle for the entire event. However, they changed the skills and showed excellent fielding performance during the opening Test of the two-match series against the West Indies at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

India declared on their overnight score of 448/5, having already earned a lead of over 286 runs as Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul, and wicket-keeper Dhruv Jurel celebrated three centuries in the first innings. The plan, perhaps, was to end the game inside three days and get two extra days off before the second Delhi Test.

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On the second ball of the eighth over, Mohammed Siraj went short at Tagenarine Chanderpaul, who swiveled across on the pull. However, he was slightly cramped for room and ended up muscling the shot. The ball was in the air for a long time as it hit the top of the blade and went left of the square leg.

Watch: Nitish Reddy’s flying catch sends back Tagenarine Chanderpaul during IND vs WI Ahmedabad Test

Nitish Reddy was stationed at the square leg region where he dived forward to grab a fine flying catch to dismiss the left-handed batter for eight runs. It was a superb judgement of catch from the all-rounder, who is expected to see his name in the squad for the away three ODIs against Australia down under.

What a blinder! 🤩😍

Nitish Kumar Reddy holds on to a superb diving catch and that's first blow for #TeamIndia in the 2nd innings! 🔥

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IND 🆚 WI 1st Test, Day 3 👉 LIVE NOW pic.twitter.com/b9R59pk6Bi

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) October 4, 2025

West Indies continue to struggle in their opening partnerships in the longest format this year. The 12 runs in this innings are their joint third best for the opening stand, along with one half-century opening partnership in this ongoing year. With the bat, they were poor at applying their shots and skills against the opponents.

In terms of five or more Tests in a year, West Indies’ average of 10.20 is the lowest average for an opening stand in a calendar year during the five-day format. The second lowest belongs to South Africa in 1912, when they averaged 11.45, followed by Pakistan at the third position in 1986 with an average of just under 12.

India made a strong start to the first Test against the West Indies at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, as their pacers struck early on Day 1. After winning the toss, West Indies captain Roston Chase chose to bat first, but the decision backfired. On a red-soil pitch with grass, Indian fast bowlers Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah bowled with great control and reduced West Indies to 20 for 2 within the first seven overs. India got the early advantage and set the tone for the match.

Mohammed Siraj struck the first blow by dismissing Tagenarine Chanderpaul for a duck. The left-hander, making a return to Test cricket, faced 11 balls before gloving a ball down the leg side to wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel. Siraj bowled two maiden overs before this wicket, showing his accuracy. Soon after, Jasprit Bumrah joined in by removing John Campbell for 8. Captain Shubman Gill went for a review after the umpire gave it not out, and replays showed a clear edge. The decision was overturned, giving Bumrah his first wicket.

The quick wickets pushed West Indies on the back foot. Without key players like Shamar Joseph and Alzarri Joseph, their lineup looked weaker. Now the responsibility was on experienced batters Shai Hope and Roston Chase to build the innings under pressure from India’s bowlers. The home side looked positive and sharp in the field, with Gill captaincy.

West Indies in Trouble, India on Top

India entered the series in great form, having recently won the Asia Cup. For Shubman Gill, this is his first home Test series as captain, and his quick review call showed sharp leadership. The bowling unit, with a mix of quality pacers and spinners, looked well set to dominate the game in these conditions. Siraj and Bumrah’s early strikes highlighted India’s strength and gave them full control on the opening morning.

Watch the video here

A very gooooood morning from DJ 💗🔥 pic.twitter.com/JUfwzMZI28

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) October 2, 2025

See Also: India vs West Indies 1st Test Live Streaming: How to Watch Live on Mobile and TV

At the time of writing, West Indies are 42 for 4 in 12 overs. Shai Hope and Roston Chase are at the crease, while Mohammed Siraj, who already has three wickets, continues his spell from one end and Jasprit Bumrah operates from the other.

The West Indies have announced a 15-member squad ahead of their two-Test series against India, which is set to begin on October 2 in Ahmedabad. The tour will be the Caribbean team's first away assignment of the newly established ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle.

Chase remains as captain, Pierre earns maiden call-up, Brathwaite dropped

Selectors have chosen to go ahead with continuity under the captaincy of Roston Chase, who will continue to lead the team with left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican named as vice-captain. The largest talking point, however, is the maiden Test call-up for 33-year-old Khary Pierre. The left-arm spinner has been rewarded for his consistent performances at the domestic level, including an impressive West Indies Championship season where he took 41 wickets at an average of just 13.56.

Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Alick Athanaze have been included in the squad, and will both be expected to bring strength to the batting unit that struggled against Australia in the June-July series. Chanderpaul in particular, is seen as a key addition to the top order, given West Indies' continued struggles at the top of the order.

The absence of experienced player Kraigg Brathwaite is notable, being dropped following a dismal home series against Australia where he recorded only 15 runs in four innings. Brathwaite also reached a notable milestone earlier this year, appearing in his 100th Test match, becoming only the 10th player from the West Indies to reach that milestone. His omission also suggests possible transition for the side. Keacy Carty, Johann Layne, and Mikyle Louis, who were all part of the Australia series, also missed out.

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Sammy backs Chanderpaul and Athanaze, Pierre gets maiden call up, Motie rested

Daren Sammy, the head coach, stated the reasoning behind the squad: “The return of Tagenarine Chanderpaul is to help us change our fortunes in the top of the order due to the struggles as of late, Alick Athanaze is being added for his strengths and qualities against spin bowling. Khary is included for the first time as our second spinner, in what we expect to be conditions conducive for turning in India."

Cricket West Indies has also indicated that first-choice spinner Gudakesh Motie has been rested while the management is monitoring his workload leading to a busy white-ball calendar upcoming, such as the ICC T20 World Cup scheduled for early 2026. The two-match Test series will take place in Ahmedabad (October 2-6) and New Delhi (October 10-14). The West Indies squad is scheduled to arrive in India on September 24.

West Indies 15-member squad for the two-match Test series in India

Roston Chase (c), Jomel Warrican (vc), Kevlon Anderson, Alick Athanaze, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope (wk), Tevin Imlach, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Anderson Phillip, Khary Pierre, Jayden Seales

Team Management: Daren Sammy (Head Coach), Floyd Reifer (Assistant Coach – Batting), Ravi Rampaul (Assistant Coach - Bowling), Rayon Griffith (Assistant Coach - Fielding).

The name Chanderpaul has a rich presence in West Indies cricket history, and Tagenarine Chanderpaul carried the legacy forward by becoming just the tenth player from the region to convert his maiden Test hundred into a double-ton. The opener was a study in concentration during his unbeaten 207 off 467 balls, helping the visitors declare on 447 for 6 on day three of the first Test against Zimbabwe.

Kraigg Brathwaite and Chanderpaul together racked up multiple records as Bulawayo finally saw a full day’s play with the sun shining brightly after two rain-hit days. In reply, Innocent Kaia led the way with an unbeaten fifty on debut and Zimbabwe moved to 114 for 3, still trailing West Indies by 333 runs. With 99 overs lost to rain and West Indies managing to score just 221 runs in 89 overs across the first two days, they needed to up the rate to have any chance of forcing a result, and Brathwaite took on the challenge.

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Kraigg Brathwaite and Chanderpaul racked up multiple records for West Indies

He was proactive from the get-go and brought out a number of shots that were at odds with his naturally defensive style of play. He struck Richard Ngarava for three successive fours in the third over of the day before slamming Victor Nyauchi for two more. Brathwaite hit six fours in his first 16 balls of the day, and soon brought up a third score in excess of 150 in Test cricket. He was rather agricultural in his shot-making, often moving in his crease and looking for gaps on the on side, a method probably inspired by Zimbabwe’s seven-two off-side heavy field.

Chanderpaul was more measured in his approach and collected a four only in the 21st over of the day. But he rotated the strike at every chance possible. Zimbabwe also had their moments in the extended first session. There were a couple of close run-out appeals against Chanderpaul, while debutant wicketkeeper Tafadzwa Tsiga missed a stumping chance when Brathwaite was on 159. Soon after, Brad Evans failed to hold on to a tough chance to his right in his follow-through with Brathwaite on 167.

Zimbabwe vs West Indies: After a wet outfield claimed the first two sessions on day 2 in Bulawayo, gritty centuries from Kraigg Brathwaite and Tagenarine Chanderpaul saw West Indies extend their grip on the first Test against Zimbabwe.

Only 51 overs were played on a rain-curtailed opening day, and West Indies – resuming from 112 for 0 – made the most of the 38 overs on offer on the second. Overnight rain meant that even though covers were off early on Sunday, the outfield was not fit for play and after several inspections, it was decided that the game would begin after tea. Both batters began the day on 55, and while Chanderpaul began to rotate strike better than on Saturday, it was Brathwaite who got the first couple of boundaries away.

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West Indies is in a really good position after 2nd day of 1st Test Match

With more than three sessions in the game already lost, the two openers upped the tempo, increasing the run rate from 2.03 on day 1 to 2.86 on day 2. The Zimbabwe bowlers toiled away again, but for the second day in a row, they had no wickets to show. Brathwaite brought up his 12th Test century in 226 balls in the 82nd over with a late cut past slip off left-arm spinner Wellington Masakadza. His knock was predominantly about strike rotation and showcased excellent communication with Chanderpaul when running between the wickets.

He scored just five boundaries while making his century; the lowest boundary count in a Test century since 2002 is four. Throughout the two days, Brathwaite and Chanderpaul took risky singles, even after playing the ball to close fielders. This meant Zimbabwe had a few opportunities, but nothing clear cut, as the two openers kept the scoreboard ticking despite not being able to find the boundary with the kind of regularity they would have liked.