Three Centuries Power India to Overwhelming Dominance Against West Indies
India’s batsmen produced a masterful and relentless display of scoring, piling on the misery for a beleaguered West Indies team on the second day of the first Test in Ahmedabad. A trio of brilliant centuries from KL Rahul, debutant Dhruv Jurel, and the aggressive Ravindra Jadeja propelled the hosts to an overwhelmingly dominant position, effectively batting the visitors out of the contest.
A Day of Milestone Centuries
The foundation for India's dominance was laid by KL Rahul, who capitalised on an early let-off to score his first Test century on home soil since 2016. After being dropped in the slips in the first over of the day, Rahul played a composed and chanceless innings, anchoring the top order and setting the platform for the onslaught that followed. His milestone was a testament to his experience and temperament, steadying the ship for a team in transition.
He was soon joined in the three-figure club by wicketkeeper-batsman Dhruv Jurel, who announced his arrival in Test cricket with a magnificent maiden century. Jurel’s innings was a showcase of technical proficiency and a calm demeanor, as he comfortably handled both pace and the turning ball. His performance, particularly his elegant back-foot play, suggests he has the foundation to become a consistent and reliable presence in India's middle order for years to come.
Jadeja's Ruthless Counter-Attack
As the day progressed and the pitch began to show signs of deterioration, it was Ravindra Jadeja who seized control with a blistering, unbeaten hundred. With the West Indian spinners beginning to find sharp turn from the rough, Jadeja launched a spectacular counter-attack. He repeatedly charged down the wicket, smashing the spinners for a flurry of boundaries and disrupting their line and length. His ruthless approach not only neutralized the threat but also accelerated India’s scoring, turning a strong position into an unassailable one. His innings was a masterclass in aggressive, calculated batsmanship on a challenging surface.
West Indies' Defensive Tactics Backfire
The West Indies were the architects of their own misfortune for much of the day. Their defensive field settings from the very first over, seemingly aimed at damage control rather than taking wickets, allowed the Indian batsmen to settle with ease. The early drop of Rahul proved to be a catastrophic error, setting the tone for a long and demoralizing day in the field.
Their spinners, despite having helpful conditions, were unable to build any sustained pressure. Jadeja's aggressive tactics completely threw them off their game plan, leaving them with combined figures that told a story of a long and punishing day's work. By the close of play, India had amassed a colossal 327 runs for the loss of just three wickets, a run rate that highlighted the visitors' inability to stem the flow of runs.
At stumps, India had reached 448 for 5, establishing a massive lead of 286 runs. With three full days of play remaining, the hosts are in an overwhelmingly powerful position, having effectively ensured that this match can now only go one way.
Key Day 2 Highlights
Trio of Centuries: India dominated the day with three separate batsmen—KL Rahul (100), Dhruv Jurel (125), and Ravindra Jadeja (104*)—all scoring centuries.
Massive Lead Established: India finished the day with a commanding lead of 286 runs, having scored 327 runs for the loss of just three wickets.
Jadeja's Counter-Attack: Ravindra Jadeja was particularly destructive, launching a blistering counter-attack against the spinners on a deteriorating pitch to score a rapid, unbeaten hundred.
Costly Errors from West Indies: The visitors' defensive tactics and a crucial dropped catch of KL Rahul early in the day proved to be extremely costly, allowing India to build an insurmountable advantage.
Tags: Cricket
