On Day 4, the contest swung dramatically. West Indies, following on, resumed with John Campbell and Shai Hope resolutely batting. They restored some pride by taking the lead, with Hope eventually notching a fighting century. But in the post-lunch session, India’s bowlers—especially Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah turned the tide, ripping through the West Indies batting in a sudden collapse. By close, India were in the driver’s seat again, needing a modest chase.
The momentum swings made for tension: the visitors’ fightback was real, but India’s bowlers responded emphatically. Heading into Day 5, the match seemed all but settled, India requiring only a small total with many wickets in hand. The patterns of resilience, collapse, and then counter-attack defined the narrative of Day 4.
Morning Session: West Indies fight back
The day began with the West Indies trailing from their overnight position of 173/2. John Campbell, on 87*, and Shai Hope, on 66*, resumed with the task of building a lead. The pair batted with composure, mixing defense and selective aggression, ensuring that India could not force early breakthroughs. Their focus was clear: bat time and push India into a nervous frame.
They succeeded in nudging Windies ahead. John Campbell looked to reverse-sweep outside deliveries, and Shai Hope rotated strike well, displaying patience under pressure. India’s bowlers bowled in disciplined lines, but the visitors consistently blocked out testing spells. The opening hour provided no reward for India; the lead crept forward gradually.
Middle Session: Kuldeep Yadav strikes and collapse
After lunch, India sensed opportunity. They chose to press hard with the ball, opening the attack from both ends. The visitors, now under pressure to convert their lead into something decisive, began to unravel. Within a short span, Kuldeep Yadav struck twice in three balls, dismissing Khary Pierre and another lower-order batter, jolting the West Indies innings.
Jasprit Bumrah joined the assault, bowling a sharp delivery that castled Jomel Warrican’s stumps a clean, seaming delivery that showcased his control. The West Indies, suddenly exposed, lost momentum. The tail was exposed and the scoreboard lurched from stability to tension.
The last few wickets fell in quick succession. India’s spinners and pacers combined to run through the lower order, turning a modest deficit into a collapse. Within that session, Windies’ recoveries were swallowed from being in the lead, they were now nine down. By the close of the middle session, the match had decisively tilted in India’s favour.
Evening Session: India’s chase begins
Once the Windies were bowled out, India replied. The target was small, and India’s top order strolled in with confidence. With no major threat ahead, the chase was always more a formality than a contest. India lost one wicket but were 63/1 at stumps, needing just another 58 runs to seal both the match and the series.
The final session was about control, not drama. India’s batters played with assurance, rotating strike and keeping Sheniles in check. Windies bowlers tried, but the pressure had swung irreversibly. The hosts neared their target with measured composure. KL Rahul showed immense grit and determination as he made sure that there are no more hiccups in the run chase after the early dismissal of Yasahsvi Jaiswal.
Thus, Day 4 closed with India firmly in command. They were one wicket away, needing a modest total on the final day. What had begun as a promising fightback by the Windies was extinguished by incisive bowling and disciplined pursuit of victory. Day 4 told the tale of resurgence, reversal, and resolution as it was a perfect day for World Cricket.
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