New Delhi, Oct 13 (NationPress) What began as a seemingly easy path to a 2-0 series victory transformed into a challenging day for India, who have now bowled for a total of 200 overs since the middle of day two. They will return on day five to clinch the win at the Arun Jaitley Stadium this coming Monday.

Chasing a modest target of 121 runs, India finished day four at 63/1 after 18 overs, with the unbeaten duo of B Sai Sudharsan (30) and KL Rahul (25) ensuring a solid position at stumps following the early dismissal of Yashasvi Jaiswal. The hosts need just 58 more runs to secure the series, though their journey to this point has been far from easy.

When the West Indies resumed their second innings shortly after lunch on day three, few anticipated the resilient comeback that was to come. Tagenarine Chanderpaul fell to a mistimed hook off Mohammed Siraj, with Alick Athanaze dismissed by Washington Sundar just before tea, leaving them struggling at 35/2.

However, John Campbell and Shai Hope had different plans. Their third-wicket partnership of 177 became the backbone of the West Indies' resurgence, extending the match into day four and eventually day five. Campbell's 115 marked his first Test century, achieved in his 50th innings, while Hope ended an eight-year wait for a hundred with a composed 103.

Together, they wove a tale of determination that had been absent from the West Indies' recent red-ball performances. From being bowled out in under three days in Ahmedabad to pushing the match into day five in New Delhi despite being forced to follow on, the West Indies showcased the kind of spirit that fans have long hoped for.

India's bowlers, who had seemed in control during the first innings, were made to work hard under the bright sun. Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav took three wickets each, as the West Indies slipped from 293/4 to 311/9. Frustration mounted as the last-wicket pair of Justin Greaves and Jayden Seales batted for 25.2 overs, adding 79 runs to their total, marking the West Indies' second-best partnership of the year.

Greaves remained not out on 50, showcasing a blend of grit and patience, while Seales contributed a valuable 32. The decision to enforce the follow-on after 81.5 overs in the first innings was a daring one, but India may have underestimated the fight left in their opponents.

On a slow pitch with occasional turn, Rahul and Sudharsan navigated the final session with composure, ensuring no further setbacks. The target may be modest, yet the match has already served as a reminder that Test cricket, at its finest, is a game of patience, perseverance, and unexpected twists.

Resuming day four behind by 97 runs, Campbell and Hope were undeterred in their partnership, keeping the scoreboard ticking, even as Bumrah got the old ball to reverse and Jadeja threatened both edges.

Campbell reached his century dramatically - with a powerful slog-sweep off Jadeja that sailed over the long-on boundary - and celebrated the milestone by removing his helmet and soaking in applause from the dressing room.

He then struck two boundaries off Mohammed Siraj as the West Indies navigated the first hour without loss. However, following a motivational talk from KL Rahul during the drinks break, Campbell was dropped on 111 when an edge slipped between keeper Dhruv Jurel and first slip.

With three fielders in the off-side region, Campbell attempted an expansive reverse-sweep but was trapped lbw by a quicker delivery from Jadeja for 115. Hope stood firm by driving Washington Sundar for four, before skipper Roston Chase struck a six and a four off the off-spinner to reduce the West Indies' deficit to below 50 runs at lunch.

The middle session began with Hope edging an outside ball from Siraj on the second new ball, marking his first Test hundred in eight years. A single from Roston Chase then saw the West Indies take the lead, forcing India to bat again to win the match – the last time they batted after enforcing follow-on was in a victory over England in Ahmedabad in 2012.

Siraj eventually found the breakthrough by having Hope chop onto his stumps. Tevin Imlach hit a four and a six off Kuldeep on the leg-side before the wrist-spinner had the last laugh by trapping the wicketkeeper-batter lbw.

Low bounce again proved effective for India when Chase was caught at mid-wicket after misjudging a flick off Kuldeep. One wicket brought another for Kuldeep as Khary Pierre attempted a slog and was caught by mid-off.

Bumrah joined the wicket-takers with an inswinger that sent Jomel Warrican's off-stump tumbling and then drew a thin edge from Anderson Philip, caught by Dhruv Jurel.

With Greaves and Seales sticking around to keep the score moving and occasionally hitting boundaries, the session was extended by 30 minutes. Yet India failed to claim the final wicket as Greaves ended the session lofting the ball over mid-on off Sundar, while his partnership with Seales crossed the half-century mark.

Greaves and Seales continued to frustrate India, as the former reached his fifty. India's decision to bring back Bumrah paid off when Seales flicked to deep square leg, concluding a stubborn last-wicket stand and the West Indies' spirited innings, though it was insufficient to prevent India from being on the brink of a comfortable victory.

Set 121 runs to chase, Jaiswal began India's innings positively, scoring eight runs off Seales, which included boundaries through cover and third man. However, Jaiswal attempted to hit a six off Warrican's first delivery but failed to achieve the height and was caught at long-on.

Rahul and Sudharsan played carefully, finding timely boundaries, with Sudharsan flicking and driving off his wrists to collect runs off Pierre. Sudharsan welcomed Chase with a beautiful drive past wide mid-off for four, before edging an off-break past slip for another boundary.

Rahul broke his initial restraint, using his agile wrists to flick Pierre for four, before both he and Sudharsan walked off as India remained in a commanding position to secure the win and clinch the series.

Brief Scores: India 518/5 dec and 63/1 in 18 overs (B Sai Sudharsan 30 not out, KL Rahul 25 not out; Jomel Warrican 1-15) trail West Indies 248 and 390 in 118.5 overs (John Campbell 115, Shai Hope 103; Jasprit Bumrah 3-44, Kuldeep Yadav 3-104) by 58 runs.