New Delhi: India continued their impressive run in red-ball cricket, wrapping up a comprehensive 2-0 series win against the West Indies on Tuesday. The hosts were the superior side throughout the contest, sealing victory by seven wickets on Day 5 of the second Test and pocketing 12 crucial World Test Championship (WTC) points in the process.

The final day’s play in New Delhi was more of a formality, but not without its moments of grit and resistance from the visitors. After being forced to follow on during Day 3, the West Indies showed admirable fight. Openers Shai Hope and John Campbell led a commendable comeback, both striking centuries that briefly reignited the Caribbean spirit. However, the task proved too tall against India’s relentless attack and disciplined batting display.

In the end, KL Rahul’s composed 58 not out ensured India cruised home without much drama. His unbeaten knock came off 108 deliveries, peppered with six boundaries and a pair of elegant sixes. Rahul anchored the chase with calm assurance, steering India through minor hiccups after a few early wickets fell in the morning session.

A Captain in Command

Leading India for the first time in a full Test series, Shubman Gill looked every bit the composed and tactical leader. His decisions, particularly enforcing the follow-on despite a flat pitch, reflected a clear intent to push for a result.

“Captaincy is a big honour, and I’m still getting used to it,” Gill said after the match. “It’s about reading the game and making the right calls based on what’s happening in the middle. When we were 300 ahead, the pitch had flattened out, but I still wanted to keep the pressure on. That’s why we enforced the follow-on.”

Gill also praised his team’s collective effort, especially the balance brought in by players like Nitin Kumar Reddy (NKR), the seam-bowling all-rounder drafted for overseas adaptability. “We played NKR because we’ll need seam-bowling all-rounders when we travel abroad,” he added. “I’ve been batting since I was three or four years old; when I’m at the crease, I make decisions as a batsman, not a captain.”

Jadeja Shines Again

Ravindra Jadeja, named Player of the Series, once again showcased why he remains one of India’s most valuable assets in Test cricket. With veteran spinner R. Ashwin rested, Jadeja shouldered the spin department admirably while continuing his resurgence as a middle-order batsman.

“This series gave me the chance to bowl more overs with Ashwin not around,” Jadeja said. “We’ve been performing really well as a team across all departments, and that’s a great sign for Indian cricket in the last six months.”

Jadeja credited batting coach Gautam Gambhir for placing faith in him at No. 6, a position he has made his own. “My mindset has changed. Earlier, batting lower down the order made me think about quick runs. Now, I focus on building innings and staying longer. I don’t chase records; I just want to contribute,” he said with a grin, proudly clutching what he called his “third Player of the Series trophy.”

Kuldeep’s Craft

The Player of the Match, Kuldeep Yadav, delivered yet another masterclass in spin bowling. On a surface that offered less turn and almost no drift, Kuldeep’s skill and persistence paid off.

“This wicket was totally different from the first Test,” Kuldeep explained. “It was dry, so getting drift was tough. Bowling long spells was the challenge, but I enjoyed it. You have to keep putting revs on the ball and maintain arm speed. That’s how you get drift and beat batters in the air.”

Kuldeep, who has been rejuvenated under the new leadership group, credited Jadeja for his constant support. “Having Jaddu bhai around always helps; he guides me through tricky phases. Now, I’ll probably watch some football before the next series — there’s hardly any downtime!” he chuckled.

West Indies Show Heart

Despite the series defeat, the West Indies camp walked away with a few positives. Captain Roston Chase praised his team’s spirit and resilience, especially their improved batting effort.

“We had two centurions in this match, and that’s a big plus,” Chase said. “We batted over 100 overs for the first time in a long while. We wanted to find ways to handle spin — by using our feet and sweeping more — and it worked to some extent. Taking the game to the fifth day shows our progress.”

Chase remained optimistic about the future, stressing the importance of using this series as a learning curve. “We’ve got talented players. It’s about using the experience from this tour as a stepping stone. We’ll take the lessons from here and look to improve in the coming months,” he added.

The Bigger Picture

With this 2-0 triumph, India solidified their position in the World Test Championship standings. More importantly, the series offered a glimpse into the team’s next generation of leaders and match-winners. Under Shubman Gill’s calm leadership, the balance between experience and youthful energy seemed perfectly calibrated.

India’s adaptability — using different bowling combinations, rotating players smartly, and experimenting with batting order — reflects a team preparing not just for series wins, but for sustainable dominance in the long format.

The West Indies, meanwhile, will take heart from their improved application and the performances of Hope and Campbell, both of whom looked composed against a world-class bowling attack.

As the dust settles on this two-match series, the takeaway is clear — India continue to set the benchmark in Test cricket, while the West Indies, though defeated, appear to be rediscovering the grit and patience that once defined their glorious past.