AHMEDABAD: KL Rahul’s 11th Test century set the tone as India dominated the West Indies, with Dhruv Jurel and Ravindra Jadeja following suit with stylish hundreds, leaving the hosts in complete control of the opening Test. At stumps on day two, India were 448 for 5, leading by 286 runs. With the West Indies spinners extracting significant turn and bounce from the rough, India look well-placed to wrap up the match by the third day and strengthen their position in the World Test Championship points table.
Rahul (100 off 197 balls), Jurel (125 off 210 balls), and Jadeja (104 off 178 balls) showcased distinct batting styles and unique celebrations. Rahul dedicated his century to his infant daughter, Jurel saluted the Indian Army, and Jadeja’s signature sword celebration delighted fans.
The West Indies bowling lacked intensity, allowing India to extend their dominance. Across 128 overs, India scored at 3.50 runs per over—a classic Test rate—while hitting 45 boundaries and eight sixes, five of which came off Jadeja in the same area.
Rahul ended a long home century drought, scoring his first hundred since December 2016, while Jurel notched his maiden Test century in only his sixth match. Jadeja continued his purple patch, recording his seventh score above 50 in the last six Tests, including two hundreds since the England tour, marking his sixth century in the format.
Jurel and Jadeja added 206 runs for the fifth wicket, narrowly missing the Indian record against the West Indies of 214 set by VVS Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar at Eden Gardens in 2002. The partnership ended when Jurel, having hit 15 fours and three sixes, edged Khary Pierre to be caught behind for the West Indies debutant’s first Test wicket.
India adopted a traditional batting approach on day two, applying relentless pressure on a disciplined but struggling West Indies side. Resuming at 121 for 2, Shubman Gill and Rahul erased the deficit by drinks, batting with ease. Rahul’s inventive reverse sweep off Pierre in the 56th over thrilled the spectators, though he fell after lunch to a low catch at extra cover by Justin Greaves. Gill, who added 98 runs for the third wicket with Rahul, fell just after reaching his fifty.
Rahul’s innings of 100 was his second home hundred in nine years, following 199 against England in Chennai in 2016. Early luck saw him survive an edge to slip in the first over of the morning, but he eventually fell post-lunch, driving to extra cover.
With just 57 runs needed and the second new ball approaching, Jurel and Jadeja accelerated, scoring 44 runs between overs 70 and 80 before slowing down once the old ball was taken after 97 overs. Jurel initiated the counterattack with a six over midwicket, and Jadeja hit two more sixes off Warrican, signaling India’s intent.
Jadeja was especially aggressive, frequently stepping down the wicket, hitting five sixes in the innings, and surpassing MS Dhoni for the most sixes by an Indian in Tests. Both he and Jurel expertly neutralized the West Indies’ attempts to exploit rough patches on the pitch, maintaining India’s dominance throughout.
