On a sunlit Day 1 of the second Test at New Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium, India’s young batting prodigy Yashasvi Jaiswal delivered a scintillating seventh Test century, propelling the hosts to a commanding 220/1 at Tea against a faltering West Indies side. The 23-year-old opener’s masterful 104 not out placed him alongside cricketing icon Sachin Tendulkar, securing the second-most Test hundreds by an Indian before turning 24. Alongside him, debutant Sai Sudharsan played a composed unbeaten 76, inching toward his maiden Test ton, as India tightened their grip on the match, aiming for a 2-0 series sweep in this World Test Championship clash.
The day began with India captain Shubman Gill breaking a six-match toss-losing streak, opting to bat first on a pitch offering early turn. Openers Jaiswal and KL Rahul started confidently, navigating the new ball with ease. However, Rahul’s promising knock of 38 was cut short in the 16th over when West Indies spinner Jomel Warrican extracted sharp turn, leaving the batsman stunned as he was stumped by Tevin Imlach. Despite the early loss, India ended the first session at 94/1, with Jaiswal’s fluent drives and deft footwork setting a solid foundation for the innings.
Post-Lunch, Jaiswal shifted gears, blending aggression with precision to dominate the West Indies attack. His century, brought up with a crisp cover drive off Khary Pierre, was met with roaring approval from the Delhi crowd. The milestone marked him as only the second Indian opener after Shikhar Dhawan to amass seven Test hundreds, underscoring his meteoric rise since his 2023 debut. Sudharsan, playing just his second Test, complemented Jaiswal’s flair with a disciplined approach, reaching his highest Test score. Their unbroken 126-run partnership for the second wicket exposed the toothless West Indies bowling, led by stand-in captain Roston Chase, which struggled to create chances on a pitch expected to deteriorate.
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India’s dominance follows their crushing victory in the first Test in Ahmedabad, where a clinical all-round performance secured a 1-0 lead. With the West Indies bowlers, including Chase and Pierre, unable to sustain pressure, India’s batters capitalized on loose deliveries to maintain a run rate above 3.5. As the final session looms, Jaiswal and Sudharsan’s burgeoning stand threatens to push India toward a mammoth total, while the visitors face an uphill battle to avoid another heavy defeat. With India firmly in control, Gill’s men are poised to cement their supremacy in this crucial Test encounter.
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