Yashasvi Jaiswal delivered a masterclass in patience and power, remaining unbeaten on 173 to propel India to a commanding 318 for 2 on the opening day of the second Test against the West Indies at Arun Jaitley Stadium on Friday. The 23-year-old opener, who faced 253 deliveries, anchored the innings from ball one, blending solid defence with elegant strokeplay to dominate a weary West Indies attack. His marathon knock, featuring 21 boundaries and a solitary six, not only silenced early doubts but also etched his name in history, marking his seventh Test century and joining Sachin Tendulkar as the only Indians to achieve seven tonnes before age 24. Captain Shubman Gill, not out on 20, joined Jaiswal to negotiate the final overs, ensuring India ended the day in firm control after 90 overs.

Opening alongside KL Rahul, Jaiswal started cautiously against the new ball swung by Jayden Seales and Anderson Phillip, but the duo raised a steady 50-run stand before West Indies spinner Jomel Warrican struck. Rahul, 29, was stumped by a ripper that turned sharply from the rough, leaving him in disbelief as the delivery evaded his forward defence. Warrican, the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2 for 60, later claimed the vital wicket of Sai Sudharsan for 87—his career-best Test score—just 13 runs shy of a maiden hundred, briefly stemming India's flow in the 71st over.

Sudharsan's gritty knock, part of a 193-run second-wicket partnership with Jaiswal, showcased the young left-hander's composure on debut at this level, building on his breakout IPL performances for Gujarat Titans. Jaiswal, meanwhile, accelerated post-lunch, reaching his seventh tonne with a single off Khary Pierre and later notching his fifth 150-plus score before turning 24—a rare feat shared only with Don Bradman. His innings, devoid of sixes until late, highlighted technical maturity, with deft cuts and drives punishing loose deliveries. West Indies, led by stand-in skipper Roston Chase, rotated their bowlers diligently but struggled for breakthroughs, conceding 98 runs in the final session alone as Jaiswal and Gill added an unbroken 61.

Also Read: Rohit Sharma Spent Seven Days at CoE Preparing for Australia ODI Series

This dominant display follows India's 1-0 series lead secured in the rain-affected first Test in Ahmedabad, where they chased a modest target with ease. For the West Indies, reeling from a 1-3 home series loss to England earlier this year, the day exposed bowling frailties on subcontinental soil, where spin and seam movement proved elusive.

Jaiswal's form—averaging over 60 in Tests since his debut—positions India strongly for a massive first-innings total on Day 2, potentially setting up a declaration and early inroads into the visitors' batting. As the series heads toward a decider, Jaiswal's emergence as a generational talent offers hope for India's post-Rohit Kohli era, while the West Indies must regroup to avoid a clean sweep.

Also Read: India Dominate West Indies on Day 1 as Rain Delays Test in Ahmedabad