New Delhi: In a resilient performance in the follow-on, the West Indies showcased their determination against India during the second Test of the series, with both John Campbell and Shai Hope notching centuries in the second innings at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. After being asked to follow on with a sizable deficit of 270 runs, the West Indies displayed significant efforts against the Indian bowlers on a pitch that proved to be slow and low.
John Campbell recorded his maiden Test century, marking an end to a prolonged wait for this three-figure score. He took 49 innings to achieve his first hundred as an opener, which is the second-longest wait, following Trevor Goddard’s 58-inning record. Shai Hope also celebrated his third Test century, concluding his own long-standing pursuit. Notably, the gap of 58 innings between Campbell’s hundreds marks a record for the West Indies, surpassing Jermaine Blackwood’s previous record of 47 innings.
Both players accomplished a milestone, as it was the first instance in 51 years that two West Indies batsmen scored centuries in the second innings of a Test match in India. The last instance was in 1974 when Gordon Greenidge and captain Clive Lloyd scored 107 and 163, respectively, during a Test in Bengaluru.
This match was also the first occasion where a visiting pair scored centuries in the second innings of a Test since Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott achieved this feat in the Nagpur Test in 2012. The last time two West Indies players recorded centuries in the second innings of a Test match was during a 2019 match against England in Bridgetown, featuring Shane Dowrich and Jason Holder.
Instances of Two West Indies Batsmen Scoring Second Innings Centuries in India:
- John Campbell and Shai Hope in Delhi Test, 2025
- Gordon Greenidge and Clive Lloyd in Bengaluru Test, 1974
- Everton Weekes and Clyde Walcott in Eden Gardens Test, 1948
The partnership between Campbell and Hope was vital, as they formed a 177-run stand for the third wicket. Campbell’s innings came to an end when Ravindra Jadeja trapped him in front while attempting a reverse-sweep. Hope was dismissed by Mohammed Siraj, who took advantage of a ball that kept low.
Despite the loss of both centurions, the West Indies continued to challenge the Indian side. Captain Roston Chase contributed 40 runs, while Justin Greaves added 50, along with Jayden Seales, who scored 32. Their efforts culminated in a 79-run partnership for the 10th wicket, setting a target of 121 runs for India.
