In the opening Test at Ahmedabad, the Caribbean side had folded for 162 and 146. In Delhi, they managed 248 in their first innings on a sluggish surface, lasting 81.5 overs but still trailing by 270.

Captain Shubman Gill had a decision to make. The West Indian batting hadn’t inspired confidence, but his bowlers had already spent nearly six hours in the field. The pitch hadn’t broken up yet, though it was expected to offer more turn for Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Washington Sundar later in the match. Kuldeep, in particular, was proving unreadable — his fifth five-wicket haul confirming that the visitors were still struggling against his wrist-spin. Perhaps the psychological scars of repeated collapses lingered.

In just his seventh Test as captain, Gill took the bold step and enfo

See Full Page