Jurel-Jadeja Stand Lifts India to 300+ as West Indies Worry Over Injury
Jurel and Jadeja’s unbeaten fifties give India control as West Indies face an injury concern.
India continued their dominance on Day 2 of the first Test against West Indies at the Narendra Modi Stadium, surging past the 300-run mark with a commanding batting display led by wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. The unbeaten partnership between the pair has not only frustrated the West Indian bowlers but also amplified the pressure on the visitors, who faced an additional setback with an injury concern for outfielder Brandon King.
Resuming at 121 for 2, trailing by 41 runs after West Indies were bundled out for 162 on Day 1, India lost the wicket of centurion KL Rahul shortly after lunch. Rahul's composed 11th Test hundred – his first on home soil in nine years – provided the perfect platform, complemented earlier by captain Shubman Gill's gritty half-century. However, the post-lunch session belonged to Jurel and Jadeja, whose aggressive strokeplay yielded a crucial 100-plus run stand for the fifth wicket.
Jurel, promoted up the order, marked his growing reputation with a fluent 75 not out from 157 deliveries, showcasing impeccable timing and composure under pressure. Jadeja, ever the opportunist, reached his 28th Test fifty with a quick single, finishing unbeaten on 59 from 100 balls. Their combined onslaught has extended India's lead to over 180 runs, leaving West Indies' attack, led by the spin duo of Roston Chase and Gudakesh Motie, searching for breakthroughs on a batsman-friendly pitch.
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Adding to the visitors' woes, fielder Brandon King was forced off the field after appearing to injure himself during a diving stop earlier in the session. Medical staff attended to him with what appeared to be precautionary measures, but his potential absence could further strain an already depleted West Indies side, still smarting from a first-innings collapse orchestrated by India's pace spearhead Mohammed Siraj (4-40) and Jasprit Bumrah (3-42).
As play progresses into the final session, India eye a substantial first-innings lead, with Jurel and Jadeja intent on accelerating. West Indies, meanwhile, will hope for a swift recovery for King and a late resurgence from their bowlers to claw back into the contest. The match, part of India's home season opener, underscores the hosts' transitional strength amid absences of stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, setting the stage for an intriguing battle ahead.
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