KL Rahul’s 11th century anchored India’s innings against the West Indies, followed by stylish hundreds from Dhruv Jurel and Ravindra Jadeja, as India gained a commanding lead of 286 runs by the end of the second
day of the opening Test. At stumps, India stood at 448 for 5, and with the West Indies spinners finding appreciable turn and bounce, the hosts aim to finish the match by the end of the third day to strengthen their position on the World Test Championship points table.
Rahul (100 off 197 balls), Jurel (125 off 210 balls), and Jadeja (104 not out off 178 balls) each showcased their unique approach to Test batting, marked by distinctive celebrations. Rahul celebrated for his infant daughter, Jurel offered a gun salute for the Indian Army, and Jadeja performed his familiar sword celebration.
The West Indies bowling lacked penetration and energy, which allowed India to tighten their grip on the game. India scored at 3.50 runs per over across 128 overs, reminiscent of traditional Test cricket, while hitting 45 boundaries and eight sixes, five of which were by Jadeja in the same region.
Rahul ended his century drought at home, scoring his second century since December 2016. Jurel marked his maiden Test century in his sixth Test since debuting last year. Jadeja, enjoying a purple patch, recorded his seventh score over 50 in the last six Tests, including two centuries since the England tour, bringing up his sixth century in the format.
Jurel and Jadeja’s partnership of 206 runs for the fifth wicket was imposing but fell short of the record for the highest fifth-wicket partnership for India against West Indies, held by VVS Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar’s 214 runs at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens in October 2002. The partnership ended when Jurel, who hit 15 fours and three sixes, edged Khary Pierre late in the day for the West Indies debutant’s maiden Test wicket.
India adopted a traditional batting approach on the second day to exert immense pressure on the West Indies, who maintained discipline but failed to challenge the hosts. Resuming at 121 for 2, Gill and Rahul erased the deficit of 41 runs by drinks in the first session with ease.
In the 56th over off Pierre, Rahul’s reverse sweep for a four was appreciated by the Indian captain. However, Roston Chase (2/90) then induced a leading edge from Gill to first slip for an easy catch. Gill, who added 98 runs for the third wicket with Rahul, fell soon after completing his half-century, which included five boundaries.
Rahul continued to score his second century at home in nine years and 11th overall. His first century at home was 199 against England in December 2016. Rahul had a bit of luck in the first over of the morning when an edge off Jayden Seales flew between the wicketkeeper and wide first slip without a reaction from either fielder. Rahul also fell in the first over after lunch, driving one in the air to extra cover where Greaves took a low catch.
With only a 57-run lead and the second new ball approaching, Jurel and Jadeja accelerated, adding 44 runs between overs 70 and 80 before slowing down when the visitors took the old ball after 97 overs. Jurel began the counter-attack with a six over midwicket, and Jadeja soon followed with two more sixes off Jomel Warrican.
Jadeja was the more aggressive of the two, frequently coming down the wicket, hitting five sixes, and surpassing MS Dhoni in the list of most sixes for India in Tests. With Warrican exploiting the rough patches from bowlers’ footmarks, Jurel and Jadeja countered effectively to neutralise the threat.
Brief scores:
West Indies (first innings): 162 all out
India (first innings): 448/5 in 128 overs (KL Rahul 100, Dhruv Jurel 125, Ravindra Jadeja 104 batting; Roston Chase 2/90).
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