The pitch for the second and final India vs West Indies Test, beginning on October 10 in Delhi, is expected to present a stark contrast to the Ahmedabad surface used in the series opener. Unlike the first Test’s even grass cover, the Arun Jaitley Stadium pitch features patches of grass interspersed with bald areas, sitting atop a black-soil base that should favor batters early on before assisting spinners as it gradually wears down.
In Ahmedabad, West Indies suffered a heavy defeat within three days after opting to bat on one of India’s greenest pitches since the World Test Championship began in 2019. With around 4mm of live grass and lively bounce, Indian pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj exploited the conditions superbly, bowling the visitors out for 150 and 118 in two innings to seal an innings-and-140-run victory.
India vs West Indies
India vs West Indies: The Delhi surface, however, is expected to offer a more balanced contest. With a quicker outfield and slightly shorter boundaries, run-scoring should be easier. The venue last hosted a Test during the 2023 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, when India defeated Australia by six wickets on a slow turner that wrapped up inside three days. This time, curators are aiming for a pitch that offers early movement for seamers, true bounce for batters, and progressive turn for spinners as the match unfolds.