New Delhi, Oct 13 (NationPress) India faced a challenging afternoon session on the fourth day as West Indies posted 361/9 in 109 overs, gaining a lead of 91 runs at tea during the second and final Test at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

Kuldeep Yadav achieved figures of 3-92, while Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah capitalized on the new ball by claiming crucial wickets. However, India struggled to secure the final breakthrough, having spent nearly 191 overs on the field under the bright sun.

Shai Hope scored his third Test century, contributing a composed 103 runs adorned with 12 fours and two sixes, which was pivotal for West Indies’ resistance. His dismissal by Siraj initiated a collapse, with the West Indies sliding from 271/3 to 311/9, as Kuldeep and Bumrah dismantled the middle and lower order.

Despite a 30-minute extension, India failed to conclude the innings as Justin Greaves and Jayden Seales displayed remarkable resilience with a 50-run partnership off 73 balls. Built on determination and skill, Greaves (35 not out) and Seales (18 not out) ensured a chance for the match to extend into a fifth day.

Even if the last wicket falls early in the final session, India will need to approach batting positively and cautiously to chase a target that could exceed one hundred runs. With the pitch slowing and the ball showing some turn and bounce, the concluding phase of the match promises to be thrilling.

The middle session commenced with Hope hitting a boundary off Kuldeep, followed by an outside edge off Siraj that marked his first Test century in eight years. A single from Roston Chase allowed the West Indies to take the lead, necessitating India to bat again to win; the last instance of this occurring after enforcing a follow-on was in a 2012 victory against England in Ahmedabad.

Siraj eventually broke through when he deceived Hope with a cross-seam delivery, resulting in a low bounce that rattled the middle stump. Tevin Imlach managed a four and a six off Kuldeep before the wrist-spinner claimed the last laugh by dismissing the wicketkeeper-batter lbw at the drinks break.

Low bounce again worked in India’s favor as Chase was caught at mid-wicket after misplaying a flick off Kuldeep. One wicket brought another for Kuldeep, as Khary Pierre was caught at mid-off attempting an expansive slog.

Bumrah joined the wicket-takers with an inswinger that sent Jomel Warrican’s off-stump cartwheeling and then caught a thin edge off Anderson Philip’s forward prod, taken by Dhruv Jurel.

As Greaves and Seales continued to keep the scoreboard ticking and hit occasional boundaries, the session was extended by 30 minutes. Yet, India could not claim the final wicket as Greaves concluded the session with a lofted shot over mid-on, marking their partnership crossing the half-century.

Brief Scores: India 518/5 in 134.2 overs trails West Indies 248 and 361/9 in 109 overs (John Campbell 115, Shai Hope 103; Kuldeep Yadav 3-92, Jasprit Bumrah 2-37) by 91 runs.