New Delhi, Oct 14: India wrapped up a 2-0 Test series sweep over West Indies with a commanding seven wicket victory in the second Test at Feroz Shah Kotla on Tuesday. The formalities took just over an hour as KL Rahul (58*) and Dhruv Jurel (6*) guided India past the modest target of 121 in 35.2 overs, sharing a 79-run partnership with Sai Sudharsan (39).
The match saw resilient resistance from West Indies centurions John Campbell (115) and Shai Hope (103), as well as a stubborn 10th-wicket stand, but India’s bowlers claimed all 40 wickets across the two Tests. Pacers excelled on unhelpful tracks, while spinners showed patience on the slow, low surfaces of the Kotla. Indian batters contributed five centuries and a near 90 among the top six across the series.
However, analysts note that the series offered limited insight into India’s preparedness against stronger opponents. The West Indies’ top order averages below 35, and only Jayden Seales showed any notable bowling potential, highlight the contrast India will face against South Africa.
The upcoming two Test series against the Proteas presents a significant challenge. South Africa’s batting line-up, featuring Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, and Tony de Zorzi, is markedly stronger. Early indications from the Pakistan-South Africa Test in Lahore suggest that spin-friendly, variable-bounce pitches could play a decisive role, with 15 of 16 wickets falling to spinners in the first two days.
India’s coaching staff, led by Gautam Gambhir, faces a delicate balance. Preparing rank turner pitches can foster world-class spinners like Ashwin and Jadeja, but may expose a relatively young batting line up, apart from KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja. Finger spinners Jadeja and Washington Sundar are less threatening on less responsive surfaces, while Kuldeep Yadav’s wrist spin could prove a key asset.
The venues for the South Africa series Eden Gardens, Kolkata, and Barsapara Stadium, Guwahati will be crucial. Eden Gardens typically assists seamers in the morning and evening while remaining batting-friendly during the day, whereas Barsapara, hosting its first Test, brings an element of unpredictability in pitch behavior and match dynamics.
As India celebrates Shubman Gill’s first series win as Test captain, the focus now shifts to testing the team’s mettle against a far stronger South African side and assessing its long-term prospects at home in the red-ball format.