New Delhi, Oct 13 (NationPress) B Sai Sudharsan and KL Rahul finished day four of the second and final Test unbeaten at 30 and 25 respectively, as India reached 63/1 in 18 overs while pursuing a target of 121 against the West Indies at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Monday. Despite the early loss of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sudharsan and Rahul positioned the hosts to chase down the remaining 58 runs on day five for victory and to secure a 2-0 series win.

With a pitch that offered some turn, both Rahul and Sudharsan found their footing, elegantly handling both spin and pace to ensure India faced no further setbacks before the end of the day. Although the target is manageable, the events of day four reminded everyone that Test cricket often defies expectations.

Resistance was evident from a determined West Indies, as the duo of Justin Greaves and Jayden Seales batted through 25.2 overs for a last-wicket partnership of 79, extending their lead to 120. The visitors managed to score 390 in 118.5 overs after being asked to follow-on. For India, Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav excelled with three wickets each on a demanding day of Test cricket.

India's choice to enforce the follow-on after bowling 81.5 overs in the first innings was a strategic risk, but the West Indies responded with fight and determination, which fans have longed to witness.

John Campbell scored 115, marking his first Test century, while Shai Hope ended an eight-year wait for a hundred, and the last-wicket partnership between Greaves and Seales became their second-best of the year in the longer format.

Jaiswal started India’s chase strongly, scoring eight runs off Seales, including boundaries through cover and third man. However, he attempted a six off Jomel Warrican's first delivery but failed to achieve the required elevation, resulting in his dismissal at long-on.

Rahul and Sudharsan then batted cautiously, striking timely boundaries to reduce India's target to under a hundred. With spin coming from both ends, Sudharsan attacked Khary Pierre with wristy boundaries.

He greeted skipper Roston Chase with a delightful drive past wide mid-off for four, followed by an edged off-break past slip for another boundary. Rahul eventually found his rhythm, flicking Pierre for four, as he and Sudharsan left the field with India in a commanding position to secure the win and clinch the series.

Earlier in the final session, Greaves and Seales continued to thwart India, who began with just one slip and spread-out fields. Seales was given two lives when Rahul and Dhruv Jurel dropped challenging catches, even as Greaves reached his fifty. India’s decision to reintroduce Bumrah proved fruitful when Seales flicked a catch to deep square leg, concluding a resilient last-wicket stand and the West Indies' spirited innings, albeit insufficient to prevent India from nearing a comfortable victory.

Brief Scores: India 518/5 decl. 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 390/10 in 118.5 overs (John Campbell 115, Shai Hope 103; Jasprit Bumrah 3-44, Kuldeep Yadav 3-104) by 58 runs.