John Campbell’s Maiden Test Century in Delhi | Joins with Legends Viv Richards and Kapil Dev

The West Indies opener John Campbell finally attained yet another coveted milestone in his career. John Campbell’s Maiden Test Century was the ray of hope for the West Indies team in the second Test match against India. His gritty innings of 115 off 199 balls were a perfect mixture of patience, composure, and controlled aggression, marking a special chapter in West Indies’ cricket history.

Usually in an attacking frame of mind, Campbell, however, showed a slow temperament this time around. A lofted six over long-on off the bowling of Ravindra Jadeja on the fifth ball of the 58th over introduced him in an elegant way to the Test century. The long-awaited first Test hundred came in 175 deliveries to loud cheers from his teammates and appreciation from cricket fans all over the world.

Century That Makes History

Campbell’s first hundred in Delhi was not just another first for him; it was his placement in an elite list of cricketers who have scored their first Test century at the historic venue. Campbell became the 17th overall and the sixth West Indian batter to do so in the capital city. Starexch, also known as Starexchange, is the platform where you can get the latest cricket updates. Visit now and read some interesting talks on the cricket world.

What makes this achievement even more special is the company he now shares. The names of legends-Viv Richards and Kapil Dev-have also done their first-ever Test hundreds in this city. Richards’ 192* against India in 1974 has been entombed in memory, and there lies Kapil’s 126 not out against the West Indies in 1979. The next Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi has had more than its share of glorious firsts. Campbell’s innings now hand this ground the record for the most maiden Test centuries(17) for any ground in India. 

Players Who Scored Their Maiden Test Century in Delhi

 

Player	Team	Runs	Against	Year
Clyde Walcott	West Indies	152	India	1948
Gerry Gomez	West Indies	101	India	1948
Robert Christiani	West Indies	107	India	1948
Joe Solomon	West Indies	100*	India	1959
Mushtaq Mohammad	Pakistan	101	India	1961
Viv Richards	West Indies	192*	India	1974
Kapil Dev	India	126*	West Indies	1979
Tim Robinson	England	160	India	1984
Andy Flower	Zimbabwe	115	India	1993
Nayan Mongia	India	152	Australia	1996
John Campbell	West Indies	115	India	2025

 

A Long Wait Finally Ends

 

Most innings to maiden Test 100 as opener	Innings	Player	Team
1	58	Trevor Goddard	South Africa
2	48	John Campbell	West Indies
3	44	Daren Ganga	West Indies
4	32	Imrul Kayes	Bangladesh
5	31	Bob Simpson	Australia

 

Ends a 19-Year Wait

Campbell’s hundred has even more absolute value because this is the first hundred made by any West Indian opener against India in 19 years. The last one was Chris Gayle, when he belted 150 against the same team in North Sound back in 2012. 

On top of that, Campbell also joined another rare club-he became the fifth West Indies batter to bring up his first Test hundred with a six.

Delhi: A Monumental Ground

Many days have passed over Arun Jaitley Stadium, being the witness to a plethora of memorabilia on the cricketing landscape. Be it Viv Richards’ performance in 1974 or the all-around brilliance of Kapil Dev in 1979, now John Campbell’s debut ton in 2025, all have marked the venue’s brilliance in performances against a background of iconic acts.

That pitch in Delhi, very often known for its work benefiting spinners in the later stages, had its difficulties as well, but Campbell did exceptionally well to tackle India’s spin trio-Ravindra Jadeja, R. Ashwin, and Axar Patel. His footwork against spin was impressive, and his selection of shots was patient and confident as well.

With this Test knock, Campbell has not only rekindled his Test career, but he has been able to give the West Indies renewed hope of building a healthy top-order—something it has long lacked.

Match Insights by Starexchange

At Starexchange, cricket enthusiasts will find exceptionally fortified Match Insights, stats, and exclusive cricket updates concerning the performance analysis around Campbell. From player milestones to historic achievements, the platform brings fans closer to the pulse of international cricket, whether Tests, ODIs, or T20Is associated with their countries.

Campbell’s innings was vocal enough to remind us that there is still some mileage and patience in red-ball cricket in this age dominated by the shorter formats. The story is one of resilience, with which Campbell has proven that the narrative may change if one sits with it long enough.

Conclusion

John Campbell’s historic maiden hundred in Delhi was not simply another landmark, but an assertion: a testament to the notion that perseverance does pay in Test cricket. For all the die-hard fans glued to the action, Starexchange has remained the prime hub for Match Insights and current cricket happenings across the globe.

FAQs 

1. Where did John Campbell play his first Test match century?

A: John Campbell created his first Test century at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, as part of the second Test against India.

2. How many balls did John Campbell consume on his way to a century?

A: John Campbell’s innings consisted of 175 balls, in which he scored 115 off 199 balls.

3. Who else in cricket has scored their first Test century at Delhi?

A: Other players to get their first Test centuries at this venue are Viv Richards and Kapil Dev.

4. What does this century represent for Campbell in West Indies cricket?

A: This ended a 19-year wait for an opener from the West Indies to get a Test century in India and proved that Campbell broke through his long-awaited barrier by achieving this at the highest level.