Rahul fifty helps India seal 2-0 clean sweep over Windies, Chase finds positives in defeat

K L Rahul's composed unbeaten half-century guided India to a 2-0 series sweep over the West Indies, as the hosts wrapped up the second and final Test inside the first hour on the fifth morning at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

- TRIDIB BAPARNASH

Chasing 121, India resumed on 63 for 1 and despite a couple of hiccups, crossed the finish line comfortably to seal a commanding seven-wicket victory.

The victory marks India’s first Test series win under Shubman Gill’s captaincy, following the drawn 2-2 result in England earlier this year. Though the margin suggests an easy victory, India were to earn it in New Delhi and defeat West Indies for the tenth straight time in Tests.

Rahul (58 not out), resuming overnight alongside Dhruv Jurel, anchored the innings with composure, mixing solid defence with deft footwork against the spinners. He found an able ally in Jurel, and the pair ensured there were no major alarms, even as the West Indies bowlers kept things tight early on.

Roston Chase provided brief resistance, removing Sai Sudharsan with a sharp catch at slip, but India were never in real trouble. Shubman Gill, promoting himself up the order, played with intent before falling to a mistimed stroke, but the target was too small to trouble the hosts.