New Delhi: Opener KL Rahul looked in fine form before falling to a clever delivery from left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican, as India made a steady start to reach 94 for 1 at lunch on the opening day of the second Test against the West Indies on Friday.
At the break, Yashasvi Jaiswal (40)* and Sai Sudharsan (16)* were unbeaten at the crease. Sudharsan played some elegant shots, including a classy on-drive and a crisp square cut among his three boundaries.
Rahul, batting on 38, had just lofted Khary Pierre for a six over deep mid-wicket in the previous over when Warrican outsmarted him. Anticipating that Rahul might step out again, the spinner shortened his length slightly. The ball turned sharply and bounced, beating Rahul’s outside edge, allowing keeper Tevin Imlach to complete an easy stumping.
On a surface offering little assistance to bowlers, Rahul might feel he missed out on a big score. His backfoot punch through covers off Jayden Seales was a standout stroke, and his innings featured five fours and a six before his dismissal.
The opening partnership between Rahul and Jaiswal was cautious yet effective, putting up 58 runs in the first hour. Jaiswal, who was dismissed cheaply in Ahmedabad, looked more composed this time, showing sound judgment around his off-stump.
A deft steer between gully and point oozed class, while his straight drive off Anderson Phillips was a shot of pure timing. Jaiswal curbed his attacking instincts early on, leaving balls outside off and avoiding rash drives. Once set, he began to take on the spinners — his powerful sweep off Roston Chase being the highlight of his innings so far.
