India practically batted the visitors out of the first Test, amassing a commanding 286-run lead at the close of the second day of play, after KL Rahul’s 11th century floored the West Indies. Dhruv Jurel and Ravindra Jadeja then followed suit with elegant centuries.
The hosts would like to finish the match by the end of the third day itself and solidify their place in the World Test Championship points table, as India was 448 for 5 at stumps and the West Indies spinners were showing noticeable turn and bounce off the rough.
In Test matches, Rahul (100 off 197 balls), Jurel (125 off 210 balls), and Jadeja (104 batting off 178 balls) each had a unique style of batting and even unique ways of celebrating. Jurel’s gun salute was for the Indian Army, Rahul’s was for his baby daughter, and everyone looks forward to Jadeja’s now-familiar sword celebration.
India was able to strengthen their hold on the opposition because of the West Indies’ poor bowling and lack of enthusiasm on the field. India averaged 3.50 runs per over in 128 overs, which is similar to Test cricket in the past, but they also hit eight sixes and 45 boundaries, five of which were hit by Jadeja in the same area.
Jurel scored his first Test century in just his sixth Test match for India after making his debut the previous year, while Rahul ended his century drought at home by scoring his second century since December 2016.
The seasoned all-rounder reached his sixth century in the format, with Jadeja, whose purple streak saw him record his seventh score in the previous six Test matches over 50, including two hundreds since the England visit.
The record for the highest fifth wicket partnership for India against the West Indies, held by VVS Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar, who put on 214 runs at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens in October 2002, was just missed by Jurel and Jadeja, who put on 206 runs for the fifth wicket in an impressive fifth-wicket stand.
When Jurel, who hit 15 fours and three sixes, got an inside edge on Khary Pierre late in the day and was caught behind for the West Indies debutant’s first Test wicket, the stand came to an end.
In order to put tremendous pressure on the West Indies, who at best maintained their discipline but were unable to provide pressure back to the hosts, India chose to use a typical batsman approach on the second day.
After India’s innings was resumed at 121 for 2, Gill and Rahul easily went about their business, erasing the 41-run deficit by drinks in the first session.
The Indian captain particularly liked Rahul’s reverse-sweeping of a ball for a four in the 56th over from Pierre, and he attempted to follow in his partner’s footsteps in the following over. However, Justin Greaves at first slip was quick to react in the direction of the ball to make an easy catch after Roston Chase’s (2/90) delivery, which pitched on off, stole the lead.
Gill perished right after reaching his half-century, having shared 98 runs for the third wicket with Rahul. He hit five boundaries in his innings.
However, Rahul continued, reaching his 11th overall and just his second century at home in nine years. A triple-figure score has eluded the right-handed hitter since he reached 199 in the December 2016 Chennai Test match against England.
Early in the morning’s first over, Rahul also enjoyed some luck as Jayden Seales’ outside edge went between the wicketkeeper and wide first slip without either fielder responding.
But Rahul suffered a same fate to Gill’s after falling in the first over after lunch. Rahul drove one but in the air towards extra cover after defending a few against Jomel Warrican, where Greaves made a low catch.
Jurel and Jadeja both put on the gas pedal to add 44 runs between overs 70 and 80 with just 57 runs remaining and the second new ball likely to be available to the West Indies. However, they slowed down their scoring after the visitors gave up the old ball after 97 overs.
Sometime after Rahul was hit in the first over after the game resumed, Jurel launched the counterattack with his first six of the match over midwicket. Jadeja quickly responded with two hits into the stands off Jomel Warrican to make their intentions known.
With five sixes in the innings, Jadeja surpassed MS Dhoni on the list of players who have struck the most maximums for India in Test matches. He was the more aggressive of the two during the counterattack, frequently coming down the wicket to score his runs.
It became crucial for the Indian duo to return the attack to the opposition when Warrican attempted to take advantage of the uneven areas made by bowlers’ footmarks at one end. Jurel and Jadeja expertly stopped the threats.
