India his horns against West Indies in the second Test match at the iconic Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. The clash comes at a crucial juncture in the series, with both sides eager to seize a decisive advantage and capture memorable moments in Indo-Caribbean cricket’s storied rivalry.
India, led by Shubman Gillopted to bat first after winning the toss, with the pitch providing ideal conditions for batting on the opening day. The hosts remained unchanged from their previous encounter, reflecting confidence in their chosen eleven, while West Indies were led by Roston Chaseintroduced Anderson Filip And Tevin Imlach to strengthen their line-up, especially in response to India’s formidable spin attack.
Throughout the morning session, cricket fans noticed West Indies players wearing black armbands – a somber but meaningful sight that immediately attracted attention and raised questions about its meaning.
Why do West Indian players wear black armbands?
On the first day of the second Test in Delhi, the entire West Indies squad walked onto the field wearing black armbands in a heartfelt tribute to Bernard Julien – a legendary all-rounder who left an indelible mark on Caribbean cricket history. Julien, who passed away earlier this week, was a cornerstone of the West Indian teams of the 1970s and was revered for his elegant batting style and powerful left-arm seam bowling. He played 24 Test matches and 12 ODIs between 1973 and 1977 and was an integral part of the squad led by Cleef Lloydwho redefined the standards of world cricket.
His contributions after retirement as a coach in Trinidad and Tobago also enriched the country’s cricketing heritage, inspiring generations of young players and garnering widespread admiration both on and off the field. In recognition of Julien’s lasting legacy, a moment of silence was observed before the start of the game, accompanied by the ceremonial ringing of the bell by Anil Kumblewhich adds a sense of solemnity and respect to the proceedings.
West Indies captain Chase shared his thoughts before the match and said: “We had some deep discussions as batsmen – our main focus is to bat all day and play 90 overs. Anderson Phillip replaces Johann Layne and Tevin Imlach replaces Brandon King. Phillip will take the new ball and Imlach’s inclusion gives us strength against spin.” His words reflected the balance between memory and responsibility as the team sought to honor Julien’s memory while focusing on their performance.
Indian captain Gill commented on his leadership role and decision to bat first, stating: “The wicket looks good to bat on Day 1. Consistency and intensity are key for us. I enjoy the responsibility that comes with leadership, and the team is unchanged from the previous Test.”
The West Indies players will wear black armbands on Day 1 as a tribute to former player Bernard Julien who passed away last week.
Julien was part of the 1975 World Cup winning team. #INDvWI | #Meninmaroo pic.twitter.com/XCTQh8TuIR
– Windiescricket (@windiescricket) October 10, 2025
Also READ: IND vs WI, 2nd Test: West Indies make two changes to their playing XI, India remains unchanged
Playing XI of both teams
India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja (vc), Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.
West Indies: John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Alick Athanaze, Shai Hope, Roston Chase (c), Tevin Imlach (wk), Justin Greaves, Jomel Warrican, Khary Pierre, Anderson Phillip, Jayden Seales
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