India’s decision to enforce the follow-on in the ongoing Delhi Test against West Indies has drawn sharp criticism after the visitors staged an extraordinary second-innings fightback to make India bat again — a first in 12 years on home soil.
After being bundled out for just 248 in their first innings and trailing by 270 runs, the West Indies responded with grit and determination. Openers John Campbell (115) and Shai Hope (103) led the resistance, adding valuable partnerships that helped their side surpass India’s total with several wickets to spare.
India had earlier declared their first innings at 518 for 5, with captain Shubman Gill unbeaten on 129 and Yashasvi Jaiswal also scoring a century. Despite still having batting options like Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, the management opted to declare early and enforce the follow-on — a move now being labeled as a “tactical blunder.”
Fans on social media have blasted Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir for enforcing the follow-on on a pitch that offered little help to bowlers, especially after the Indian attack had already bowled over 80 overs in the first innings. Critics argued that India should have batted longer to completely shut the West Indies out of the match.
Despite the setback, India managed to claw back with crucial wickets on Day 4, removing Hope and Campbell in quick succession through Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, and Kuldeep Yadav. However, the damage was already done — India’s proud record of never being made to bat again after enforcing a follow-on since 2012 came to an end.
As the Test heads into its final day, the focus remains on whether India can regain control — and whether Gambhir and Gill’s follow-on call will go down as a rare tactical misjudgment in an otherwise dominant home run.
Originally published on newsworldstime.com.
Originally published on 24×7-news.com.
