Yashasvi Jaiswal scored a scintillating 173 as India took control of the second Test against the West Indies, ending the opening day at 318 for two, and are on the crease at the moment with Shubman Gill and Jurel, on 474, at lunch. After captain Shubman won the toss for the first time in his Test captaincy and elected to bat, Jaiswal anchored the innings, sharing a 193-run second-wicket partnership with Sai Sudharsan, who contributed a valuable 87.
The first day had began with some disciplined spells from the West Indies pacers, who found some early movement off the pitch. Jaiswal adopted a cautious approach, while KL Rahul was dismissed by a sharply turning delivery from left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican. Jaiswal and Sudharsan navigated the initial period before gradually asserting their authority.
The partnership flourished after lunch as the pitch eased and the West Indies bowlers began to tire. Jaiswal accelerated to his seventh Test century, bringing up the milestone in 145 balls. He became only the second Test opener after Graeme Smith to score seven tons before the age of 24. Sudharsan, who was under pressure for his place in the side, played with confidence, finding the boundary regularly before he was trapped lbw by Warrican late in the day.
Indian batting coach Sitanshu Kotak praised Jaiswal’s adaptability and determination. He highlighted the opener's conscious effort to be more restrained outside the off-stump early on, a direct response to his dismissal in Ahmedabad. "We all know that he is very aggressive... the way he adapted, the shots he decided on that wicket, what he felt with the bounce and the pace of the wicket, was brilliant," Kotak said after the day's play.
Sudharsan’s innings of 87 from 165 balls helped solidify India’s position. After being dropped on 54, he looked set for a century before Warrican struck with a quicker delivery that kept low. Kotak identified areas for improvement. "I think his back-foot game is (sound)... The amount of power he generates on the back foot is also amazing," Kotak said. "Some of the very full balls, too, he plays on the back foot though, which we are trying to work with him to cut out. And also the outside off-stump line, which he should easily play on the front foot."
Skipper Shubman Gill has built up a partnership with Dhruv Jurel, with both batting at 75 not out and 7 not out, respectively before breaking for lunch. Jomel Warrican has been the pick of the the bowlers, having taken all three wickets, with Jaiswal falling short of his double century through an ill fated run out.
