India’s 13-Year Test Low, Shubman Gill Faces Unwanted Feat Never Seen Under Rohit-Kohli Era

Things did not go according to plan for India in the second Test against West Indies at Delhi. Having taken a huge first-innings lead of 270 runs, the Shubman Gill-led team seemed poised to wrap up the series with ease. But the West Indies batters demonstrated resilience for the first time in the series, putting India on the back foot with a fighting comeback.

India imposed the follow-on, a rare decision, despite their own bowlers having already bowled 81 overs in the first innings. It was a challenging spell, particularly since West Indies' ninth and tenth wicket combination thwarted the hosts by scoring crucial runs in an extended partnership.

West Indies Fight Back with Century Stand

For the first time in this series, West Indies' batting order displayed fight and determination. John Campbell and Shai Hope were the heroes, contributing a sparkling 177-run third-wicket partnership. Campbell hit his first Test hundred, while Hope achieved a century after a wait of eight long years.

Their contribution helped West Indies to go-past 300 run-mark, avoiding an innings defeat by forcing India to bat once again after enforcing the follow-on. Although the middle order succumbed, this performance provided the visitors with much-needed confidence following three poor batting performances in the series.

This was India's 41st follow-on enforced in Test cricket history, but just the fourth time that they've been forced to bat a second time having done so, and only the second time in the 21st century.

The previous time was all the way back in 2012 against England in Ahmedabad, when MS Dhoni led the team to an eight-wicket victory after chasing a modest target on the fifth day.

India Batting Again After Follow-On

Historical Context and Captaincy Stats

India last enforced the follow-on in March 2022, when Rohit Sharma captained for the first time against Sri Lanka in Mohali. Under Rohit, it has only happened once so far, whereas under Virat Kohli, India imposed the follow-on on nine occasions, winning seven and drawing two, both rain-curtailed games (Bangladesh 2015, Australia 2019).

In the history of the game, only four teams have ever successfully won a Test match after being asked to follow on, one of them being India's legendary 2001 triumph over Australia at Eden Gardens, one of cricket's greatest comebacks.

Prior to this match, India had enforced the follow-on 40 times, and they won on 28 occasions and drew on 12.

Match Scenario: IND vs WI 2nd Test

With the help of John Campbell (115) and Shai Hope's (103) extraordinary innings and vital contribution from Justin Greaves (50*) and Jayden Seales (32), West Indies posted 390 runs in their 2nd innings, handing India a modest target of 121 runs.

Although India lost an early wicket of the 1st innings centurion Yashasvi Jaiswal, the hosts are poised to chase the target. West Indies will have to deliver a miracle in order script the history at Delhi.