IND vs WI 2nd Test : The opening day of the second Test between India and West Indies was all about Yashasvi Jaiswal’s brilliance. The young left-hander once again proved why he’s regarded as one of India’s most promising red-ball batters, ending the day unbeaten on a majestic 173 runs off 253 balls.
At stumps, India stood tall at 318 for 2, having completely outplayed the visitors. Skipper Shubman Gill remained not out on 20, ensuring India finished the day with their dominance intact.
Toss, Teams, and the Setting
Under clear skies and ideal batting conditions, India’s captain Shubman Gill won the toss and opted to bat first at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. It was a decision that paid off handsomely.
Playing XIs:
India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, 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
Morning Session: Measured Start by Indian Openers
India’s openers began with discipline, adjusting to the early swing and bounce that the pitch offered. KL Rahul looked in touch early, timing his drives and working the gaps effectively.
Jaiswal, at the other end, played the waiting game defending solidly and cashing in on anything loose. The two right-left combination frustrated the West Indian bowlers, who struggled to find consistency.
The pair added 58 runs for the first wicket, before Jomel Warrican provided the breakthrough. Rahul, trying to take on the spinner, was stumped after a brisk 38 off 54 balls.
That wicket briefly gave the visitors some hope, but it was short-lived.
Afternoon: The Jaiswal-Sudharsan Show
After Rahul’s dismissal, Sai Sudharsan joined Jaiswal in the middle, and what followed was a masterclass in partnership batting. Together, they constructed a mammoth 193-run stand that sapped the energy out of the West Indian attack.
Jaiswal shifted gears beautifully, moving from patient accumulation to authoritative stroke play. His driving through the covers, lofted shots against spin, and smart rotation of strike showcased a maturity beyond his years.
Sudharsan complemented him perfectly. Calm, composed, and technically assured, the left-hander notched up his second Test half-century and went on to score a fluent 87 off 165 deliveries.
Just when he looked set for a hundred, Warrican struck again — drawing him into a mistimed drive that ended a superb innings. However, by that point, India were already cruising at over 250 runs with just two wickets down.
Evening Session: India Tighten Their Grip
With the new ball losing its sting and the pitch flattening out, Jaiswal pressed on. His focus remained unbroken as he passed 150 in commanding fashion, peppering the boundary ropes with effortless timing.
Shubman Gill, who had promoted himself down the order to provide middle-order stability, adopted a cautious approach. The skipper was content to rotate strike and allow Jaiswal to continue the assault.
By stumps, the scoreboard read India 318/2, a reflection of total dominance. The West Indies bowlers appeared weary and out of ideas, with Warrican’s 2 for 60 being the only bright spot.
IND vs WI 2nd Test Jaiswal’s Innings: A Statement of Class
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 173* was not just an innings of runs but of temperament. His ability to blend patience with aggression stood out. He waited out the disciplined spells early on, then shifted seamlessly into attack once set.
This innings marked yet another chapter in his rapidly rising Test career. By the age of 23, Jaiswal has already produced multiple 150-plus scores — a rare feat for an Indian opener. His knack for converting starts into big hundreds has drawn comparisons to legends who built their reputations on consistency and hunger for runs.
West Indies’ Bowling Woes
For the West Indies, it was a long and punishing day. The seamers, Anderson Phillip and Jayden Seales, failed to extract enough movement or sustain pressure. Spinner Jomel Warrican was the lone bright spark, accounting for both wickets — those of Rahul and Sudharsan.
The rest of the attack, led by Roston Chase and Khary Pierre, lacked penetration and discipline. Far too many deliveries were short or wide, allowing Jaiswal and Sudharsan to settle easily.
If the visitors are to fight their way back into the contest, their bowlers must regroup quickly and find early breakthroughs on Day Two. Otherwise, India’s lower order — featuring Jadeja and Washington Sundar — could push the score beyond reach.
Key Highlights from Day 1
- India’s score: 318/2 at stumps
- Top scorer: Yashasvi Jaiswal – 173* (253 balls, 22 fours)
- Partnerships:
- Rahul & Jaiswal – 58 runs
- Jaiswal & Sudharsan – 193 runs
- West Indies’ best bowler: Jomel Warrican – 2/60 (20 overs)
- Gill’s contribution: 20* off 68 balls
What Lies Ahead on Day 2
India will look to push their total beyond 500, setting up a position of dominance in the match. With wickets in hand and Jaiswal approaching a potential double century, the hosts are well on course to dictate terms.
For the West Indies, early wickets are non-negotiable. They must strike early to avoid a repeat of Day One’s toil. If they allow India to bat freely into the afternoon, the game could slip beyond recover
Final Thoughts
Day One of the second Test firmly belonged to India and Yashasvi Jaiswal. His commanding 173* was a perfect blend of grit, skill, and patience the hallmarks of a world-class Test batsman in the making. Supported ably by Sudharsan and guided calmly by skipper Gill, Jaiswal has put India in the driver’s seat.
Unless the West Indies find some magic with the ball on Day Two, India seem destined to post a monumental total and tighten their grip on the series.
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