IND vs WI, 2nd Test: Unchanged India Opt to Bat First, West Indies Make Two Changes
New Delhi: India won the toss and chose to bat first in the second and final Test against the West Indies at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Friday. The hosts, unchanged from their innings-and-140-run victory in the first Test at Ahmedabad, are looking to seal a 2–0 series sweep.
Leading the side for the second time, Shubman Gill won his first toss as India’s Test captain and decided to bat on a surface expected to assist spinners later in the match.
“The wicket looks good for batting on day one. We want to put up a big total,” said Gill. “Maintaining the same intensity and consistency across matches is something we focus on, and that’s our goal in this Test too.”
On his growing leadership role, Gill added: “Honestly, not much has changed. I’m still the same person, just with more responsibility now. I enjoy that and see an exciting journey ahead across all formats.”
West Indies made two changes to their lineup, bringing in Anderson Phillip and Tevin Imlach for Brandon King and Johann Layne. Skipper Roston Chase said the decision was based on conditions and team balance.
“Phillip can make early breakthroughs with the new ball, and Imlach is familiar with these kinds of pitches,” Chase said. “We would’ve batted first as well; the surface looks dry. Our aim is to bat for 90 overs and play each ball on merit.”
In the pitch report, Ian Bishop described the surface as a “pitch of two halves” — with green patches holding the deck together and bald areas expected to offer turn later. Deep Dasgupta noted that the wicket could play two-paced as the game progresses.
Playing XIs
India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, B Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (capt), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.
West Indies: John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Alick Athanaze, Shai Hope, Roston Chase (capt), Tevin Imlach (wk), Justin Greaves, Jomel Warrican, Khary Pierre, Anderson Phillip, Jayden Seales.
