Sawt Falasteen - Chase hails West Indian grit as 'stepping stone' to revival

The tourists went down by seven wickets at New Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium to complete a 2-0 series defeat, but did force India into a fifth day after being made to follow on 270 runs behind.

The West Indies hit back with John Campbell (115) and Shai Hope (103) sharing a 177-run stand for the third wicket.

The pair ensured India would have to bat again before Justin Greaves (50 not out) and Jayden Seales (32) put on 79 runs for the last wicket to take them to 390 and frustrate the India bowlers further.

"This is the kind of fight that I wanted to see from us from matches before," Chase told reporters.

"This is a stepping stone, a building step for us to go forward and improve as a Test playing nation.

"(It) will give us the confidence and boost us in terms of that belief that we can do it against proper Test playing nations."

West Indies lost the opening Test by an innings and 140 runs.

It was their second successive series sweep after going down to Australia 3-0 at home in June and July.

In the final match against Australia, they were skittled for 27, the second lowest total in Test history.

"I think where we could improve mainly is our batting," admitted Chase.

"That's what let us down for the last two series.

"I think that once we can put good first innings totals on the board, we will be able to fight for some wins in the World Test Championship."

Their rearguard 390, after being bowled out for 248 chasing India's mammoth 518-5 declared first innings, won plaudits from their opponents.

"I have always believed that world cricket needs West Indies cricket, that is something which is very important," said India head coach Gautam Gambhir.

"It was really nice to see them fight.

"Obviously they are an inexperienced team and there are a lot of changes that have happened there, but the way they fought in the second innings will give them a lot of confidence."

P.Tamimi--SF-PST