Left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav delivered a masterclass in spin bowling as he took 5 for 82 — his fifth five-wicket haul in Tests — as India bowled West Indies out for 248 in 81.5 overs on Day 3 of the second and final Test at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, on Sunday.
With an imposing first-innings advantage of 270 runs on a track with little turn or bounce, India forced the follow-on, leaving the visitors 49 overs to see out the day and a difficult task to take the game into Day 4.
Kuldeep, playing with guile, drift, and excellent control, switched the momentum in favour of India during the morning session. He sent back Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, and Justin Greaves in succession to destroy West Indies' middle order.
A 46-run ninth-wicket stand from Khary Pierre and Anderson Phillip provided temporary resistance, but Jasprit Bumrah completed the wicket just after lunch, getting rid of Pierre with a beauty. Last pair Phillip and Jayden Seales managed 27 runs before Kuldeep trapped Seales lbw with a well-disguised googly — clinching his five-for and India's massive lead.
Earlier, Hope and Imlach seemed at ease against Bumrah and Kuldeep during the first half-hour before the spinner struck. Bowling from the North End, Kuldeep achieved drift on a flighted delivery that beat Hope's forward defence and dislodged the off-stump.
In his subsequent over, Kuldeep trapped Imlach lbw with one which turned sharply in. Greaves counter-attacked briefly with boundaries but succumbed while trying to execute a reverse-sweep as Kuldeep's drift and dip tricked him.
Mohammed Siraj emerged as the first pacer to take a wicket in the game, getting rid of Jomel Warrican, who chopped on attempting to reach a full ball outside off.
At 175/8, West Indies looked all but over, but the gritty stand of Pierre and Phillip kept India at bay for 15.3 overs. Their lower-order resistance contributed 74 runs for the last three wickets — short of preventing the follow-on, but at least saving them from total embarrassment.
India's bowling attack, spearheaded by Kuldeep, has the hosts on the verge of yet another dominating win — with just dignities likely left on Day 4.
Brief Scores: India 518/5 in 134.2 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 175; Jomel Warrican 3-98) lead West Indies 248 in 81.5 overs (Alick Athanaze 41, Shai Hope 36; Kuldeep Yadav 5-82, Ravindra Jadeja 3-46) by 270 runs
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