Indian cricket team enforced a follow-on against West Indies on day three of their Test match at Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium, after bowling them out for 248 in their first innings.
John Campbell and Shai Hope staged a strong fightback with unbeaten half-centuries, reducing the deficit to 97 runs after India had earlier declared their first innings at 518/5.
West Indies ended the day at 173/2 in their second innings, with Campbell on 87 and Hope on 66 not out.
India's assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate revealed there were discussions about batting again before enforcing the follow-on.
"There was a discussion to bat. Those last two wickets took a little bit longer than we would have hoped for, and had probably started going towards the space where you do look to bat again. But we felt [270] was a good lead. We thought the wicket was going to keep deteriorating, we thought by the close of play it would be at its worst, but it just seems to have slowed down even more," said Doeschate.
The assistant coach praised Kuldeep Yadav's four-wicket performance, highlighting his unique bowling style.
"The difference is Kuldeep is that he is a mystery spinner, and there is an element of danger associated with it compared to finger-spinners. He is very difficult to pick. Kuldeep bowled in the right areas and spun it both ways," Doeschate added.
He also commended captain Shubman Gill and vice-captain Ravindra Jadeja's leadership abilities.
"Shubman's captaincy is coming on nicely. He excelled on a difficult tour of England, and he continued to build on that, and he conveys the messages to players a lot more now. Jadeja's getting to an age where you start looking beyond him, but he is showing how valuable he is," he stated.
West Indies all-rounder Khary Pierre expressed surprise at India's decision to enforce the follow-on.
"I was surprised, but it's India, and you know they want to get the win, and probably didn't think they needed to go back and bat, but so be it. We have to bat properly in this innings and try and make a game of it," Pierre said.
Pierre remained optimistic about his team's chances in the match.
"I would say the Test match is still on. Once we apply ourselves with the bat, we have two set batters at the crease right now that will start over tomorrow, and once we bat properly, the game is still on. Once we get a lead, we all know, on the fourth and fifth day of a Test match, the bowlers will come and probably get some balls to spin and stuff and make a game of it," he said.
Earlier in the day, West Indies resumed their first innings at 140/4. Kuldeep Yadav dismissed Hope for 36, breaking the fifth-wicket partnership at 49 runs.
Pierre scored 23 and Anderson Phillip made 24 not out, but Kuldeep Yadav (5/82) and Ravindra Jadeja (3/46) helped dismiss West Indies for 248.
On day one, India chose to bat after winning the toss. Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul (38) put on 58 runs before Jomel Warrican removed Rahul.
Jaiswal then formed substantial partnerships with Sai Sudharsan (87) and Shubman Gill (129 not out), before being run out for 175.
Gill continued his strong form, building partnerships with Nitish Reddy (43) and Dhruv Jurel (44 not out) as India declared at 518/5.
Warrican was West Indies' most successful bowler with figures of 3/98.
West Indies' first innings saw contributions from Tagenarine Chanderpaul (34) and Alick Athaneze (41) before they were reduced to 140/4 at the end of day two.
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