Century Heroics: Jaiswal Powers India’s Command Over West Indies on Day 1

In the wake of a lackluster performance in the first Test, the West Indies’ chance to bat first on a more favorable pitch was considered crucial for a tighter contest in the second Test. However, on Friday, Shubman Gill, leading his team for the seventh time, won the toss for the first time, prolonging their struggles in the series.

Yashasvi Jaiswal (173 runs, 253 balls, 22 fours) and Sai Sudharsan (87 runs, 165 balls, 12 fours) made the most of the batting-friendly conditions on day one. They combined for a 193-run partnership for the second wicket, putting pressure on the West Indies bowlers, and nudged India to a strong 318 for two at stumps at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

Jaiswal, having missed a big opportunity in the previous match, secured his seventh Test century (his second against the West Indies) in 145 balls. His confident stride past the century mark belied the gritty effort needed to outlast the bowlers.

AS IT HAPPENED – IND vs WI Day 1

During the opening hour, the West Indies pacers found some movement, and Anderson Phillip nearly capitalized on a loose drive from Jaiswal. Though Jaiswal’s near miss outside off stump against Jayden Seales was a mistake on his part, these were the only noteworthy errors in an otherwise resolute beginning.

Even after KL Rahul hit consecutive boundaries off Seales’ deliveries in the ninth over, India only managed 29 runs in the first 10 overs. However, as the ball lost its shine, the West Indies women bowlers’ discipline waned, allowing the Indian batsmen to accelerate. Jaiswal’s initial boundaries were behind the square, making use of the extra pace early in the innings. By the 13th over, he had executed a powerful drive against Justin Greaves.

Rahul stepped out to loft Khary Pierre over long-on but found himself deceived by a sharply turning delivery from Jomel Warrican, uncharacteristic for a first day’s pitch.

Despite pre-match debates concerning Sudharsan’s place, he played without hesitation, dispatching his first delivery through midwicket. After the lunch break, Jaiswal smashed successive balls from Seales through backward point before a cover drive to reach his fifty.

Sudharsan adeptly maneuvered boundaries off the spinners, including a punch through mid-off against Warrican and several sweeps against Pierre. The West Indies bowlers focused on bouncers in the second session, but many strayed, providing Sudharsan with easy opportunities to navigate or avoid. Jaiswal capitalized on a leg-side delivery for another boundary to the fine-leg.

Greaves nearly dismissed Sudharsan who mistimed a shot, but Warrican failed to take the catch at short midwicket. Sudharsan made the most of this reprieve, breaking a 51-ball streak without a boundary by cutting Greaves.

Sudharsan’s innings ended when Warrican’s low delivery trapped him lbw.

Captain Gill contributed with a couple of slog-swept boundaries off Warrican. Seales, armed with the second new ball, managed a few confrontational glances at Gill, but fatigue soon set in as Gill drove one past mid-off.

Jaiswal, initially tempted to attack tired seamers with cover drives, wisely opted for caution as the day wound down, setting up for another substantial score on the second day.

Published on Oct 10, 2025