IND vs WI, 2nd Test: John Campbell says West Indies’ batting effort in second innings ‘big positive’ for team
West Indies put on a spirited batting show in the second innings of the second Test against India, and John Campbell, who laid the foundation with his maiden Test century, said it can help the ailing unit turn a corner in the longest format.
The side has won just twice in its last ten Tests, and has not recorded a series win since February 2023, when it beat Zimbabwe at its home.
“I think it’s a big positive for us, having not gotten the best first innings. We came out in the second innings and batted over 100 overs. We are all hoping that [it’s the start of something big]. I think it was a great effort by the batters in the second innings. That’s a big plus for us against quality bowlers, and on a challenging pitch as well. We are all hoping that it is a sign of good things to come,” Campbell said after the fourth day on Monday.
Campbell got together with Shai Hope and forged an alliance worth 177 runs for the third wicket. It was courtesy of this partnership that the West Indies set India a target of 121 runs after being inserted for a follow-on on the third day.
The 32-year-old said the coaches backed the pair and wanted them to settle down on the surface.
“Shai and I, we just wanted to bat as long as possible; that was always the plan. We both got (good) starts, so we wanted to take it as deep as possible. The coaches always backed us; they instilled confidence in us. The hardest thing on the wicket is to start, so we wanted to fight hard for a start, and when we got a start, we tried to take it as deep as possible,” Campbell said.
The highlight of their onslaught on the third day, when they added 138 runs in the final session, was their foray against Kuldeep Yadav. The left-arm unorthodox was the wrecker-in-chief during the first innings with five wickets, but went wicketless for 53 runs in 11 overs till stumps on the third day.
“It wasn’t a specific plan. I just think at that point he came on and the field was up, so we both fought for ourselves to get a few balls over the top, and then when those fielders got pushed back we got to take singles,” Campbell said.
Campbell continued in the same vein on the fourth day as he ticked past the three-figure mark with a slog-swept six against Ravindra Jadeja. He had the perfect opportunity to make a big score but was pinned in front by Jadeja while attempting a reverse sweep.
The left-handed batter had employed the shot earlier in the innings, but what proved fatal on that occasion was the change of line, with Jadeja coming from around the wicket, rather than over.
Explaining the rationale for the pre-meditated hit, Campbell said: “Well, after hitting that shot, I was disappointed. I never wanted to get out, but that’s the nature of sport. At that time, I just thought a shot was on, just a little bit of miscalculation on that one,” Campbell said.
Published on Oct 13, 2025
