India vs West Indies 2nd Test: Jaiswal’s Unbeaten 173 and Sudharsan’s Brilliance Dominate Day 1

The Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in Delhi witnessed a batting masterclass on Day 1 of the India vs West Indies 2nd Test as Yashasvi Jaiswal remained unbeaten on 173, supported brilliantly by Sai Sudharsan’s 87. The opening day belonged entirely to India, who closed at 318/2, putting West Indies on the back foot in what has become a familiar pattern of dominance for the hosts.

Gill’s Toss Luck Finally Changes

After six consecutive toss losses, Shubman Gill finally won his first toss as Test captain in his seventh attempt. The decision to bat first proved immediately vindicated as pristine batting conditions awaited his openers on a typically slow Delhi surface.

For West Indies, it marked the beginning of another torrid day in the field, with their bowlers struggling to make any significant impact beyond two brilliant deliveries from left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican.

Cautious Start Sets Foundation

The India vs West Indies 2nd Test Day 1 began with characteristic caution from KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal. The opening pair played out 60 dot balls in the first 72 deliveries, reaching drinks at a modest 29/0. Anderson Phillip, replacing Johan Layne in the West Indies XI, generated seam movement and forced the only half-chance of the first hour—an LBW appeal against Rahul that was turned down with umpire’s call going India’s way.

The measured approach reflected smart cricket on a surface known for its slow nature, where patience typically gets rewarded. West Indies maintained disciplined lines during this period, remarkably bowling the entire day without conceding a single extra—a testament to their accuracy if not their penetration.

Acceleration and Rahul’s Dismissal

The drinks break proved to be a turning point as Indian intentions shifted dramatically. Both openers looked to score more fluently in the second hour, with Jaiswal driving Phillip down the ground fiercely and finding boundaries against Justin Greaves. Rahul joined the attack, flicking Phillip away before dancing down the track to launch Warrican for an 81-meter six over the leg side.

However, Warrican struck back immediately with a delivery that turned deviously. The previous two balls had turned just 2.7 and 0.8 degrees respectively, but the wicket ball spun a massive 8.1 degrees—catching Rahul nowhere near the pitch after stepping out. Tevin Imlach completed a comfortable stumping, ending Rahul’s aggressive 38 off 54 deliveries and providing West Indies their solitary breakthrough of the morning session.

Sudharsan’s Crucial Contribution

Sai Sudharsan arrived at the crease with considerable pressure on his shoulders. Selected as India’s No. 3 despite a first-class average under 40, the left-hander needed a statement innings to cement his place in a country brimming with batting talent. He received a welcoming low full toss from Warrican, which he dispatched for four, settling any early nerves.

The second-wicket partnership between Jaiswal and Sudharsan picked up pace as India headed to lunch at 94/1. This stand would eventually add 197 runs, becoming the backbone of India’s dominant Day 1 performance in the India vs West Indies 2nd Test.

Jaiswal’s Milestone Hunger

The second session showcased Yashasvi Jaiswal at his destructive best. He kickstarted proceedings by cutting width offered by Jayden Seales for a boundary behind point, then added two more in the same over to reach his half-century while taking India past 100. Seales’ wayward bowling—serving up short and wide deliveries—played into Jaiswal’s strength: the cut shot that has dismissed him five times in his career but remains one of his most productive strokes.

West Indies appeared listless as the second-wicket partnership raced to 100 off just 141 deliveries. Jaiswal was typically brutal, but Sudharsan matched his intensity, aided by wayward lines from the spinners. Before tea, Jaiswal raised his seventh Test century—a remarkable achievement for someone yet to turn 24. Only Sachin Tendulkar has scored more Test hundreds (11) before that age among Indian batters.

Internationally, Jaiswal now equals Graeme Smith for most centuries as an opener under 24. More impressively, for the fifth time in his seven Test hundreds, he converted it into a score of 150 or more. Only Don Bradman had more scores of 150-plus before turning 24, placing Jaiswal in rarefied company.

The Record-Breaking Second Wicket Stand

The Jaiswal-Sudharsan partnership flourished through intelligent shot selection and opportunistic boundary-hitting. Sudharsan survived a dropped catch on 58 but couldn’t fully capitalize on the reprieve. He fell 13 runs short of his maiden Test century when Warrican once again produced a delivery that turned alarmingly—this one spinning 6.4 degrees. Like Rahul’s dismissal, the key work was done in the air, with the flat but full delivery catching Sudharsan on the back foot when he should have been forward.

Sudharsan’s 87 off 165 balls featured just three false shots—the first on 58 when he was dropped, and the final one that resulted in his dismissal. His innings demonstrated both temperament and technique, playing excellent punches off the back foot and showing the maturity expected of an India No. 3.

West Indies’ Struggles Deepen

The India vs West Indies 2nd Test Day 1 exposed familiar weaknesses in the Caribbean side’s bowling attack. Beyond Warrican’s two wickets—both products of exceptional turn rather than sustained pressure—West Indies lacked penetration. The middle session proved particularly damaging, with India plundering 126 runs without loss as the bowling lost all accuracy.

Jayden Seales exemplified the struggles, beginning and ending the second session by being cut for boundaries. Though he returned after tea with a disciplined spell of 4-0-6-0 with the reversing ball, West Indies couldn’t maintain collective pressure. Khary Pierre offered five easy singles in one over immediately after a brief period of control, releasing the pressure that had been building.

The absence of extras throughout the day—a remarkable achievement in modern cricket—highlighted West Indies’ discipline in one respect. However, discipline without wickets meant merely delaying the inevitable as India batted with increasing confidence.

Gill Joins the Party

Breaking the massive second-wicket stand didn’t provide West Indies the opening they desperately needed. Captain Shubman Gill joined Jaiswal, and the pair navigated to stumps without further damage. They adopted a largely watchful approach, except for two aerial sweeps from Gill, even enduring a 44-ball boundary-less period that ended with—predictably—a full toss.

India’s scoring rate slowed slightly in the final session after accelerating at more than four runs per over through the middle period. However, Jaiswal continued his relentless march toward a big score. He finished the day with the best shot of his innings—a cover drive in the 88th over that pierced an unmoved off-side field, showcasing the class that has made him one of the world’s premier young batters.

The Jaiswal Phenomenon Continues

Four of Jaiswal’s six previous Test centuries converted into big scores, including two double hundreds. His approach on Day 1 showed remarkable cricket intelligence: watchful in the first hour, aggressive against loose bowling in the middle session, and tightening up again as West Indies found better lengths in the final session. Against good-length deliveries, Jaiswal resisted boundary attempts, while he ruthlessly punished six half-volley boundaries, four short-ball boundaries, and one off a fuller-than-good-length delivery when he was on 93.

At stumps, Jaiswal remained unbeaten on 173 off 253 balls—his seventh Test century and potentially his third double hundred. His unbeaten partnership with Gill had added 94 runs, giving India complete control of the India vs West Indies 2nd Test after Day 1.

Historical Context and Looking Ahead

India hasn’t lost at the Feroz Shah Kotla in 38 years, and Day 1 proceedings suggest that record remains safe. West Indies needed sustained discipline and a bit of fortune to challenge India at this venue, but beyond Warrican’s two magical deliveries, they offered little threat on a surface that rewarded patience and punished poor execution.

For India, the platform is set for a commanding first-innings total. With eight wickets in hand and Jaiswal closing in on another double hundred, a score of 500-plus looks entirely achievable. The question isn’t whether India will dominate this Test but by what margin.

Final Scorecard Summary

India 1st Innings: 318/2 (90 overs)

• Yashasvi Jaiswal: 173* (253 balls)
• Sai Sudharsan: 87 (165 balls)
• KL Rahul: 38 (54 balls)
• Shubman Gill: 20* (48 balls)

West Indies Bowling:

• Jomel Warrican: 2-60
• Jayden Seales: 0-74
• Anderson Phillip: 0-52
• Khary Pierre: 0-58

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