Sports League Season
Ravindra Jadeja drags West Indies back to old nightmares as Delhi crowd watches the script repeat
Show caption
i
(Image Source – Getty Images)

Ravindra Jadeja drags West Indies back to old nightmares as Delhi crowd watches the script repeat

DB

Dherandra Bisht

Modified 13 October 2025 at 02:12 AM IST -3 min read

On the second day of the second Test match between India and West Indies at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, Ravindra Jadeja’s left-arm spin bowling triggered a familiar collapse for the visiting team, bringing them down from a solid 66-run opening partnership to 140/4 by stumps. Jadeja wrapped up with figures of 3-37, dismissing crucial batters and bringing back memories of West Indies’ historical struggles against Indian spinners on subcontinental pitches. This display came after India declared their first innings at 518/5, establishing a commanding position in the match.

How Ravindra Jadeja dragged West Indies back to old nightmares

Ravindra Jadeja’s spell of 3-37 over 14 overs was key, employing his arm-ball and different variations to throw off the batters. His wickets, particularly the caught and bowled by Chase, highlighted his knack for bowling from the shoulders to create extra bounce on a pitch that wasn’t sharply turning yet.

This performance took us back to earlier series, like the 2018 tour when Jadeja and R Ashwin worked together to dismantle the West Indies’ batting. In Ahmedabad earlier in this series, Jadeja’s subtle brilliance was clear in deliveries that outwitted batters in the air.

The West Indies’ top-order has consistently struggled against Indian spin, which was evident in their criticized performance during the first Test. This led to increased discussions about a two-tier Test system, highlighting their failure to handle spin effectively.

Jadeja’s impact in this match only added to their woes, as his wickets caused a meltdown after a decent beginning. With Kuldeep Yadav backing him up (1-45), the spinners took control, leaving the West Indies behind by 378 runs after just 43 overs.

Ravindra Jadeja breaks down the hard work behind bowling on a slow Kotla pitch

At the end of the game, Ravindra Jadeja talked about the difficulties of the pitch during an interview, sharing his thoughts with reporters at Arun Jaitley Stadium, “We will have to bowl more from the shoulders. If we bowl slow, we don’t have the bounce. It’s easier for the batsman to adjust. We will have to mix it up. We will have to bowl in the air and slow. We will have to vary it. It’s hard work.”

He further added: “We have not asked for rank turners. This is what we expected. As the game progresses, the wicket will start turning slowly. Not on the first day. So, I think we’re not surprised. We have to work hard. We have to bowl well. Then only we will be able to get them out.” These observations were expressed in the framework of India’s measured approach to pitch preparation, avoiding overly turning pitches to assess their bowlers’ talents.

By stumps on Day 2, West Indies found themselves at 140/4, with Hope and Imlach at the crease, still down by 378 runs. India is in a strong position, aiming for a 2-0 series win. The Delhi crowd, which showed up well with even more fans anticipated over the weekend, witnessed a repeat of the scenario from Ahmedabad. With the pitch starting to turn, Jadeja and the Indian spinners are set to further complicate things for the West Indies.

Dherandra Bisht

Dherandra is a College Football writer at Sports League Season. An athlete-turned-writer, he brings on-field perspective to his coverage, highlighting the energy, rivalries, and culture that define campus football. His reporting emphasizes quick-turn updates and nuanced storytelling, connecting directly with engaged fans. Dherandra believes the vibrant atmosphere at college football games fosters community and is central to the sport’s growth in America.

View all articles by Dherandra Bisht

Share this article