India’s Test cricket faithful have plenty to celebrate as the national team wrapped up a commanding 2-0 series sweep over the West Indies, sealing the second Test with a seven-wicket triumph in Delhi on October 14, 2025. This victory, which marks Shubman Gill’s first Test series win as captain, comes at a pivotal moment for Indian cricket—restoring confidence after last year’s home humbling by New Zealand and narrowing the gap with Sri Lanka in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings.
The Delhi Test, played on the often-criticized low and slow Kotla pitch, provided its share of drama and talking points. India, opting to bat first after West Indies chose to bowl, piled up an imposing 518-5 declared. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s elegant 175 and Shubman Gill’s unbeaten 129 set the tone, with both batters displaying a blend of patience and aggression that left the West Indies bowlers searching for answers. Sai Sudharsan, too, chipped in with a valuable 87, reinforcing his growing reputation as a reliable middle-order presence.
West Indies’ reply in the first innings was stifled by India’s spin attack, led by Kuldeep Yadav. Kuldeep, restored to his role as the team’s attacking spin option, delivered a masterclass with figures of 5-82. His variations and guile left the visitors reeling, as they were bundled out for 248. Yet, the Caribbean side wasn’t content to roll over. In their second innings, John Campbell (115) and Shai Hope (103) staged a gritty fightback, pushing the tourists to a respectable 390. At 271-3, the match seemed to be drifting, but Mohammed Siraj’s timely breakthrough—bowling Hope—triggered a collapse. Six wickets fell for just 40 runs, and only some late hitting by tailender Jayden Seales gave India a target of 124.
India’s chase on the fifth morning was clinical. KL Rahul anchored the innings with an unbeaten 58, while Sudharsan added a brisk 39. The pair’s 79-run partnership for the second wicket ensured there were no nerves in the dressing room, and the hosts cruised to victory with seven wickets in hand. The result not only completed a clean sweep but also solidified India’s position as a formidable force at home, marking their 10th consecutive Test series win against the West Indies.
For Shubman Gill, this series was more than just a statistical milestone. It was a test of character and adaptability, given the relentless international calendar and the added burden of cross-format captaincy. Gill himself acknowledged the mental and physical demands, noting, “That was new for me. Going back to the basics of a particular format is something that works for me.” His approach—separating the demands of batting from those of captaincy—seems to be paying dividends. With 946 runs in his first 13 Test innings as captain, Gill now sits second only to the legendary Don Bradman (1,125 runs) and joins Bradman and Sunil Gavaskar in amassing five centuries over this period. Not bad company to keep!
India’s management has also drawn praise for their preparation, with former opener Gautam Gambhir highlighting the importance of playing India ‘A’ games against Australia ‘A’ and participating in the Ranji Trophy before the South Africa series. “Preparation is something this group of players have done exceptionally well. It is difficult but that is what professionalism is all about—try and use the days to the best of their ability, because we know there are very quick turnarounds from here to ODIs, then T20, and after only four days, back to Test cricket,” Gambhir remarked. He also emphasized the need for Test specialists to play domestic games rather than just training at the National Cricket Academy, a sentiment echoed by many within the cricketing fraternity.
The Kotla surface, however, drew criticism for its lack of pace and bounce. Gambhir, a Delhi native, didn’t mince words: “We could have had a better wicket here. We did get the result on Day Five but again, the nicks need to carry. There has to be something for the fast bowlers as well.” This concern is especially pertinent as India prepares to host South Africa in venues like Eden Gardens and Guwahati, where expectations are for livelier pitches that will keep both batsmen and bowlers honest.
One of the standout performers of the series was Mohammed Siraj, who was awarded the Impact Player Award for his decisive contributions. Siraj’s ability to break partnerships and inject energy into the attack was crucial, especially as Test cricket remains his favorite format. His efforts, combined with Kuldeep’s spin wizardry, ensured that India always had the upper hand, even when the West Indies showed glimpses of resistance.
Looking ahead, India’s schedule offers little respite. The team now heads straight to Australia for a high-profile ODI series, which promises to draw global attention with the likes of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli playing under Gill’s captaincy. This is followed by a T20I series against Australia and then a full home series against South Africa, including two Tests. The packed calendar will test the endurance and resourcefulness of both players and support staff. As Gill candidly admitted, “The schedule will test my endurance and character.”
For the West Indies, the series was a mixed bag. While the top order showed flashes of brilliance—Campbell and Hope’s centuries in the second innings were a testament to their resilience—the lack of depth and consistency was evident. The visitors now turn their attention to a tour of New Zealand starting November 5, 2025, where they’ll look to regroup and climb up the WTC standings.
India, meanwhile, remain third in the WTC table, trailing Australia and Sri Lanka but gaining valuable ground with the 24 points earned from this series. The team’s dominance at home continues, but the real challenge lies ahead on the bouncy, unfamiliar pitches of Australia and in the high-stakes encounters against South Africa. With Gill at the helm, supported by a blend of youth and experience, Indian fans have every reason to be optimistic.
As the dust settles on another successful home series, attention now shifts to the white-ball contests Down Under. The players may be weary, but the appetite for cricket in India—and the expectations that come with it—show no sign of diminishing. If this series proved anything, it’s that Indian cricket, under new leadership, is ready for whatever comes next.
