Ahmedabad, Oct 3 (PTI): KL Rahul's superb 11th Test century laid the foundation for a dominant Indian batting performance against the West Indies. Dhruv Jurel and Ravindra Jadeja followed with stylish hundreds of their own, giving India a significant 286-run lead by the end of the second day of the first Test. At stumps, India stood at 448 for 5, with the West Indies spinners garnering substantial turn and bounce from the rough. The hosts will likely aim to wrap up the match by the third day, enhancing their position in the World Test Championship points table.
Rahul (100 off 197 balls), Jurel (125 off 210 balls), and Jadeja (104 not out off 178 balls) demonstrated unique styles of Test cricket batting, coupled with memorable celebrations. Rahul dedicated his milestone to his infant daughter, Jurel gave a gun salute for the Indian Army, and Jadeja delightfully showcased his iconic sword celebration.
The West Indies bowling attack appeared lackluster, lacking energy both in execution and on the field, allowing India to tighten their grip further. Across 128 overs, India maintained a scoring rate of 3.50 per over, reminiscent of vintage Test cricket, while managing to hit an impressive 45 boundaries and eight sixes, five of which came from Jadeja playing the same shot in the same region.
Rahul's hundred ended a long-standing century drought at home, marking only his second century since December 2016. Meanwhile, Jurel celebrated his maiden Test century in just his sixth match for India, having debuted last year. Jadeja continued his rich vein of form, delivering his seventh fifty-plus score in six Tests, including two centuries, since the England tour.
The sturdy 206-run partnership between Jurel and Jadeja for the fifth wicket nearly eclipsed the Indian record against the West Indies, set by VVS Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar with a 214-run stand at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens in 2002. Jurel's innings ended when he edged a delivery from Khary Pierre to the wicketkeeper, giving the debutant his first Test wicket.
On day two, India adopted a traditional batting approach to apply immense pressure on the West Indies, who, despite being disciplined, couldn't reverse the momentum. Resuming at 121 for 2, Rahul and Gill efficiently erased the 41-run deficit by the first session's drinks break.
Rahul exhibited deft reverse-sweeping skills against Pierre, a move that the Indian captain soon attempted, only to fall prey to Roston Chase, who claimed two wickets for 90 runs. Justin Greaves's sharp catch at first slip dismissed Gill right after he completed his half-century.
Once past the 170-run mark, Rahul celebrated his hard-fought century—the first at home since 2016. Despite an early chance when an edge off Jayden Seales traversed the slip cordon untouched, Rahul succumbed in the first over post-lunch, caught off a Jomel Warrican delivery.
With only a modest 57-run lead and the second new ball soon due, Jurel and Jadeja escalated their scoring between overs 70 and 80. This aggressive burst added 44 runs, but with the introduction of the new ball by the 97th over, the pair slowed down their scoring tempo.
Initiating the counter-attack, Jurel launched a six over midwicket notably soon after Rahul's departure. Jadeja matched this aggressive intent, hitting two sixes off Warrican to underscore his batting prowess. Jadeja’s belligerent display also saw him surpass MS Dhoni in the list of most sixes by an Indian in Test cricket.
Despite Warrican exploiting the rough patches at one end, Jurel and Jadeja executed their aggression flawlessly, neutralizing the threat with precision.
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