Rahul, Jurel, Jadeja’s tons help India dominate WI

India took firm control of the opening Test against West Indies at Ahmedabad, ending the second day with a commanding lead of 286 runs. At stumps, the hosts stood at 448 for 5, thanks to brilliant centuries from KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel, and Ravindra Jadeja. The trio’s efforts not only put India in a dominant position but also showcased varied styles of Test match batting and personal celebrations.
KL Rahul’s composed 100 off 197 balls marked his 11th Test century and ended a long drought of home centuries, his last being a 199 against England in Chennai in December 2016. His celebration was a heartfelt tribute to his infant daughter. Rahul, who resumed the day with Shubman Gill at 121 for 2, helped erase the 41-run deficit early in the first session. He shared a 98-run partnership with Gill, who scored a half-century before falling to Roston Chase. Rahul followed soon after lunch, caught at extra cover off Jomel Warrican.
Dhruv Jurel, playing only his sixth Test, impressed with a maiden century, scoring 125 off 210 balls. His innings included 15 fours and three sixes, and his gun salute celebration was dedicated to the Indian Army. Jurel’s counter-attack began after Rahul’s dismissal, launching a six over midwicket and setting the tone for an aggressive phase of play.
Ravindra Jadeja, unbeaten on 104 off 178 balls at stumps, continued his purple patch in Test cricket. His innings featured five sixes, all in the same region, and his trademark sword celebration delighted fans. Jadeja’s recent form includes seven scores above 50 in his last six Tests, with two centuries since the England tour. He also surpassed MS Dhoni in the list of most sixes hit in Tests for India. Together, Jurel and Jadeja stitched a formidable 206-run partnership for the fifth wicket, narrowly missing the record for India’s highest fifth-wicket stand against West Indies—214 runs by VVS Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar at Eden Gardens in 2002.
The partnership ended when Jurel was caught behind off debutant Khary Pierre, giving the bowler his maiden Test wicket.
India’s approach on Day 2 was traditional yet effective, scoring at 3.50 runs per over across 128 overs. The innings featured 45 boundaries and eight sixes, with Jadeja contributing five maximums. Despite the West Indies spinners extracting turn and bounce from the rough patches, their bowling lacked energy and penetration, allowing India to tighten its grip on the match. The Indian batters showed tactical awareness, especially during the middle session when the second new ball loomed. Jurel and Jadeja accelerated between overs 70 and 80, adding 44 runs, before slowing down once the old ball was retired after 97 overs.
Jadeja’s aggressive footwork and clean hitting helped neutralize the threat posed by Warrican, who tried exploiting the rough created by bowlers’ footmarks.
India’s dominance was evident not just in the scoreboard but in their ability to dictate terms throughout the day. The West Indies, though disciplined at times, failed to mount any sustained pressure.
Brief Scores
West Indies first innings: 162 all out
India first innings: 448/5 in 128 overs (KL Rahul 100, Dhruv Jurel 125, Ravindra Jadeja 104 batting; Roston Chase 2/90).