Following West Indies’ woeful performance in the opening Test at Ahmedabad, the second and final Test in Delhi is expected to feature a more batting-friendly pitch that gradually assists spinners as the match progresses.
Roston Chase’s side was completely outplayed by Shubman Gill and India, succumbing to an innings and 140-run defeat in just two-and-a-half days at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Despite dominating, India chose a swift declaration on Day 3 morning, ensuring their batters spent only eight sessions at the crease.
Delhi pitch expected to favour batters
ESPNcricinfo reports that the Delhi pitch will be prepared using black soil, designed to support batters initially. As the Test wears on, spinners are likely to extract turn from the surface, providing a challenge later in the game.
This is a stark contrast to the Ahmedabad pitch, which had a layer of grass and significant moisture on Day 1. India’s pacers exploited these conditions to take four early wickets, while spinners benefited from footmarks as the match progressed, contributing to West Indies’ rapid collapse.
Delhi’s past Test conditions
The last Test in Delhi was during Australia’s 2023 tour for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. On that occasion, Pat Cummins’ team faced a slow-turning surface and ended up losing by six wickets.
Weather could influence play
Heavy rainfall in Delhi has kept mornings cooler, and dark evening clouds may affect sessions during the final Test of the series. Players and spectators should be prepared for possible interruptions or overcast conditions that could impact the flow of play.
India, having dominated the first Test, will look to seal the series with a strong performance on a pitch that balances batting comfort with late-match spin assistance.
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