India completed an emphatic 2-0 series sweep against West Indies when they won the second Test by 257 runs in Jamaica yesterday after the hosts’ batsman Darren Bravo was replaced by a concussion substitute after retiring hurt.
Bravo was struck on the helmet by a short delivery from Jasprit Bumrah in the final over on Sunday, but batted on and saw out the last two balls at Sabina Park in Kingston. He returned for the start of day four, but lasted only three overs before deciding to retire hurt on 23 and left the field to be examined by a doctor.
Soon afterwards, Jermaine Blackwood was named as a concussion substitute and went out to bat following the fall of the fourth wicket. Blackwood’s addition meant West Indies had 12 batsmen for the second innings.
Blackwood, a Jamaican who was not in the original squad, scored 38 runs but it made little difference to the final outcome as West Indies, chasing 468 for victory, were bowled out for 210.
India dominated the short two-Test series, part of the inaugural World Test Championship, having won the opening encounter in Antigua by 318 runs. India also extended their unbeaten streak against West Indies to 23 tests. They last lost to the Caribbean team in Kingston in 2002.
“Pretty comprehensive again. We played good cricket, and getting the result in the manner you want is crucial as a team. We were put under pressure in a couple of sessions. While batting, there were some tricky situations but it took some character from the boys. Hanuma was the standout batsman, but Ajinkya in the second innings, Mayank in the first innings, Ishant with the fifty – it was an innings full of grit,” winning captain Virat Kohli said. 
“According to the surface, Vihari’s innings was top class. He looks confident and the dressing-room feels calm when he bats. He’s always willing to improve and correcting his mistakes. Plays with a lot of heart. Up to do anything for the team. That’s why he invariably plays crucial innings for us. Young career for him so far, but he showed why he’s been backed by this team,” he said. 

CONCUSSION SUBSTITUTE
West Indies lost two wickets in the morning session, Roston Chase lbw to Ravindra Jadeja for 12, while Shimron Hetmyer was caught at cover off Ishant Sharma for one. But dismissals came thick and fast after lunch as India ripped through the middle order and tail, with all the bowlers sharing the spoils, though Bumrah picked up only one wicket to add to his six from the first innings.
Blackwood became the second Test concussion substitute after Marnus Labuschagne, who replaced Steve Smith in the Australia team during the second Ashes test against England less than a month ago. In that situation, Smith retired hurt after being felled by a Jofra Archer bouncer during Australia’s first innings. Though Smith returned to the crease 40 minutes later and was dismissed before stumps, he was ruled out of the remainder of the test the following morning after experiencing the effects of delayed concussion.
Because Smith was already out in the first innings, Labuschagne batted only in the second innings.
“Obviously disappointed. Didn’t play a complete game in either match. Lots of problem with the batting. Need to put scores and fight out the tough periods. Tough question on how to fix the batting. It’s an individual thing. Quite a bit of time till we play the next Test match so time for players to take some ownership,” West Indies captain Jason Holder said.

Brief scores
India 416 (H. Vihari 111, V. Kohli 76, I. Sharma 57, M. Agarwal 55; J. Holder 5-77, R. Cornwall 3-105) and 168-4 declared (A. Rahane 64 n.o., H. Vihari 53 n.o.; K. Roach 3-28, J. Holder 1-20) vs 
West Indies 117 (S. Hetmyer 34, J. Holder 18; J. Bumrah 6-27, M. Shami 2-34) and 210 (S. Brooks 50, J. Holder 39, J. Blackwood 39; R. Jadeja 3-58, M. Shami 3-65, I. Sharma 2-37).