KL Rahul looked all set to bring up a classy half-century on Day 1 of the India vs West Indies 2nd Test in New Delhi, when Jomel Warrican produced an absolute beauty — a delivery that spun so viciously, it left everyone in disbelief.
The left-arm spinner’s dream ball drifted away from Rahul by more than 8 degrees, leaving the Indian batter completely bamboozled. One moment Rahul was confidently stepping down the track, and the next — the bails were off, and he was left staring in disbelief.
Warrican, on the other hand, erupted in joy. It was not just a wicket; it was a tactical masterstroke.
Warrican’s Spin Magic – The Best Balls of the Match
What made the dismissal truly special was the precision behind it. The two deliveries before had turned 2.7° and 0.8° respectively — teasing Rahul into a false sense of control. But the third? It turned a jaw-dropping 8.4°, enough to make even the commentators gasp in awe.
Rahul, who had been batting fluently at 38 off 54 balls (with five boundaries and a six), could hardly believe what just happened. His partner Yashasvi Jaiswal stood stunned at the other end, realizing they had just witnessed something extraordinary.
Fans Sound Off as Pitch Sparking the Buzz
Moments after the wicket, social media lit up with reactions. Clips of the dismissal flooded X (formerly Twitter), with fans calling it “the ball of the series.”
“That ball from Warrican turned more than 8 degrees! Rahul never stood a chance,” one user wrote.
But the incident also reignited the age-old debate about Indian pitches. If a ball turns this sharply on Day 1, what can we expect on Days 3 and 4? Experts warned that spinners might dominate the rest of the match, making batting a real challenge.
India Off to a Steady Start Despite the Blow
Before Rahul’s dismissal, the opening stand between Rahul and Jaiswal (40 off 78)* looked promising, putting together a 58-run partnership. Despite losing one set batter, India still managed to stay in control by lunch, with Jaiswal joined by Sai Sudharsan (16 off 36) at the crease.
Earlier in the day, new skipper Shubman Gill had a perfect start to his captaincy, winning his first toss and opting to bat first. India went unchanged from their innings-and-140-run win in the opening Test at Ahmedabad.
Moments like these remind us why Test cricket remains unmatched in drama and artistry. A single ball — bowled with precision and spin — can shift the entire momentum of a match.
Warrican’s dream delivery will be replayed for years, and for KL Rahul, it’s a lesson that even the best can fall victim to the beauty of turn and deception.