First in 23 years! West Indies opener John Campbell scripts history with fighting century against India | Cricket News
In a series dominated so far by India, West Indies opener John Campbell provided a bright spot for the visitors on Day 4 of the 2nd Test in Delhi, crafting a composed maiden Test century. His innings was a mixture of patience and power, featuring 115 runs off 199 balls, with 12 fours and 3 sixes, before being dismissed lbw by Ravindra Jadeja in the 64th over. Campbell’s century was met with a standing ovation from the West Indies camp, acknowledging the effort and resilience he displayed against an Indian attack that had enforced the follow-on on Sunday after bowling out the visitors for 248. At the time of his dismissal, West Indies were 212/3, with captain Roston Chase walking in to join the middle order. The innings carried historical significance as well. Campbell is the first West Indies opener to score a Test hundred in India in 23 years, the last being Wavell Hinds’ 100 at Eden Gardens in 2002. He also becomes the first West Indies opener to reach a Test hundred against India since Daren Ganga’s 135 in Basseterre in 2006 and joins an elite list of batters scoring their maiden Test century in Delhi, a group that includes legends such as Viv Richards and Kapil Dev. No other Indian venue has seen as many maiden Test centuries including six by West Indies batters and 17 in total. Campbell’s milestone also adds him to the list of West Indies batters who have reached their maiden Test hundred with a six, alongside Collins King, Robert Samuels, Ridley Jacobs, and Shane Dowrich. Additionally, it took him 48 innings as an opener to reach the landmark, ranking second behind Trevor Goddard’s 58 among West Indies openers. While India struggled to break the partnership for much of the session, Ravindra Jadeja eventually ended Campbell’s innings with an lbw, providing the hosts with a crucial breakthrough in a contest where the visitors have shown remarkable resistance since the follow-on was enforced.
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Do you believe that Jadeja’s dismissal of Campbell was pivotal in the match?
Campbell’s century stands out as a record-laden innings, highlighting both personal achievement and the fighting spirit of the West Indies in a dominant series for India.
