Campbell, in his 25th Test appearance, scored his maiden century off 199 balls, having managed only three fifty-plus scores in 49 previous innings. He slogged Jadeja over cow corner to bring up the milestone. Hope, unbeaten on 92, negotiated the first hour cautiously, adjusting his stance slightly open-chested to handle Jadeja and Washington Sundar. By front-foot placement and selective shot-making, Hope neutralised spin and minimised lbw risks.
The Campbell-Hope partnership had added 177 runs for the third wicket, and their patient batting made it difficult for India’s bowlers to make an impact. The slow pitch prevented Jadeja from generating significant turn, while Bumrah remained steady but lacked penetration. Campbell’s dismissal came through risky shot selection, highlighting the only realistic chance for a wicket.
Roston Chase (23 not out) joined Hope and immediately went on the attack, lofting Sundar over long-on for a six, taking the unbroken fourth-wicket stand to 40 runs by lunch. India’s spinners have had to toil on a docile surface, making breakthroughs hard and giving West Indies hope of salvaging the innings. The match remains finely poised despite the follow-on.
