India vs West Indies 2nd Test: Gill’s 100, Jadeja & Kuldeep Put India in Command on Day 2

The scorching Delhi sun witnessed a masterclass in batting supremacy as Shubman Gill orchestrated India’s declaration at 518 for 5 before Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav tightened the noose around West Indies on Day 2 of the India vs West Indies 2nd Test.

While the visitors showed glimpses of improvement from their Ahmedabad debacle, they ended the day precariously placed at 140 for 4, still trailing by a daunting 378 runs.

Morning Setback Fails to Derail Indian Momentum

The day’s narrative began with a sour note when the in-form Yashasvi Jaiswal’s quest for a third Test double hundred ended in heartbreak. A miscommunication with Gill resulted in a run-out that left Jaiswal stranded on 175, just two runs short of his overnight score. The visible frustration on Jaiswal’s face told the story as he gestured emphatically toward his captain, indicating it was Gill’s call that went awry.

However, Gill responded with the composure that has become his hallmark, channeling any guilt into sublime strokeplay that would eventually yield his 10th Test century.

Gill’s Captaincy Brilliance: Numbers That Speak Volumes

The unbeaten 129 wasn’t just another hundred for Gill—it was a statement. His fifth century of the calendar year matched an elite club, making him only the second Indian captain after Virat Kohli (2017 and 2018) to achieve this feat. More remarkably, no Indian captain has scored more hundreds in a single year than Gill’s five since assuming leadership in the latter half of 2025.

Supporting Cast Delivers Crucial Contributions

India’s strategy of promoting Nitish Kumar Reddy to No. 5 bore fruit as the young all-rounder contributed a breezy 43 off 54 deliveries. Despite an early edge that fell short, Reddy showcased aggressive intent with two towering sixes against Jomel Warrican’s spin before miscuing a third attempt to Jayden Seales at long-on.

Dhruv Jurel proved a reliable partner once again, demonstrating excellent judgment against spin bowling. His technique of pressing forward while remaining alert to rock back against short deliveries exemplified textbook batting against spin. He contributed 40s before falling to Roston Chase while attempting to match Gill’s acceleration post-century.

Gill’s Tactical Acceleration

Gill’s innings was a study in calculated aggression. During the testing morning spell from seamers, he prospered with short-arm cuts and defensive pushes that raced to the boundary.

His fifty arrived with a sumptuous flick through midwicket, but the real fireworks came post-century when he plundered 27 runs off just 19 deliveries, forcing West Indies into submission before declaring with Jurel’s dismissal.

West Indies Show Character Despite Collapse

Captain Roston Chase’s pre-match plea for his batters to occupy the crease for 90 overs seemed achievable initially. John Campbell and Tagenarine Chanderpaul negotiated Jasprit Bumrah’s probing spell with confidence. Campbell even welcomed Jadeja’s introduction with a paddle-swept boundary, but his promising stay ended bizarrely when a firmly swept shot struck substitute fielder B Sai Sudharsan’s helmet at short leg and lodged in his arms.

Jadeja and Kuldeep Dismantle Resistance

The Chanderpaul-Athanaze partnership represented West Indies’ most assured batting phase of the series. They employed their feet effectively, swept with authority, and even launched boundaries down the ground. However, Jadeja’s guile proved decisive. A cleverly disguised quicker delivery deceived Chanderpaul in flight, resulting in a sharp catch at first slip by KL Rahul.

Kuldeep Yadav struck with his very first delivery of a fresh spell when Athanaze misjudged a slog-sweep, getting too close to the pitch and hitting straight to midwicket. The ball had bounced off Bumrah’s bouncer on his helmet earlier, possibly affecting his concentration.

The Lara-Richards Moment

A telling moment came when legends Viv Richards and Brian Lara, watching from the stands, were spotted gesturing their disapproval as Chase tamely flicked a return catch to Jadeja. Their body language suggested Chase should have defended with the turn rather than against it—a masterclass in reading spin from two Caribbean greats.

Final Session Resistance

Shai Hope and Tevin Imlach survived the remaining overs to take West Indies to stumps, but the mountain ahead remains formidable. Needing 179 more runs just to avoid the follow-on, West Indies face an uphill battle on Day 3.

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