Gill wins first series as India captain with 2-0 West Indies sweep

AFP | New Delhi

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Shubman Gill yesterday won his first Test series since becoming India captain as his side beat the West Indies by seven wickets at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium for a 2-0 sweep.

Chasing 121 for victory in the second Test, India resumed on day five at 63-1 and reached their target in the first session with KL Rahul unbeaten on 58.

West Indies captain Roston Chase struck twice with his off-spin to send back Sai Sudharsan for 39 and Gill, who made 13.

Rahul hit the winning four as India reached 124-3 after a spirited fightback from the West Indies, who made 390 in their second innings with centuries from John Campbell and Shai Hope after being forced to follow on.

India are a team in transition under 26-year-old Gill, after the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

They won the opening Test by an innings and 140 runs after a thrilling 2-2 draw in their five-Test series in England from June to August, Gill’s first in charge.

“It’s a really big honour and I would say I’m getting used to it,” Gill said at the post-match presentation. “Managing all the players and leading this team is a great honour.”

India head coach Gautam Gambhir said the young leader was marching on after having passed his “toughest test as a Test captain” in England.

“No one has done him a favour by appointing him the Test and one-day captain,” the former batsman told reporters. “I think he deserves every bit of it. I think he’s worked hard, and he ticks all the boxes.”