DELHI, India — Yashasvi Jaiswal produced a batting masterclass, carving out a magnificent unbeaten 173 as India seized complete control against the West Indies on the opening day of the second Test on Friday.
Partnered by the elegant Sai Sudharsan, who fell agonizingly short of a maiden century with 87, Jaiswal guided the hosts to a commanding 318 for two at stumps — a total that left the Caribbean side struggling for answers.
Jaiswal’s fluent stroke play and unflappable concentration defined India’s innings, setting the stage for a mammoth first-innings total. The 22-year-old left-hander, already a rising force in world cricket, now eyes a third double-century when play resumes.
Early resistance broken
After India opted to bat, KL Rahul and Jaiswal laid a steady foundation with a 58-run opening stand. Rahul, in typically assertive fashion, was first to find the boundary, guiding Anderson Phillip to fine leg before striking crisp drives through cover and midwicket off Jayden Seales.
The West Indies bowlers maintained tight discipline early, conceding only 29 runs from the first 12 overs. Yet, once the initial pressure lifted, the Indian pair began to counterattack — Rahul lofting Khary Pierre for six over long-on and Jaiswal rotating the strike with growing fluency.
However, the visitors finally had their breakthrough when Jomel Warrican — the lone wicket-taker of the day — outfoxed Rahul (38) with a sharply turning delivery, the batsman stumped smartly by Tevin Imlach.
Jaiswal and Sudharsan turn the tide
Rahul’s dismissal brought Sai Sudharsan to the crease, and from his very first scoring shot — a firm flick through midwicket for four — he exuded assurance. Together with Jaiswal, he orchestrated a dominant 193-run second-wicket stand, one that completely subdued the West Indies attack and altered the rhythm of the match.
By lunch, India were comfortably placed at 98 for one, with Jaiswal on 40 and Sudharsan on 18. After the interval, Jaiswal immediately shifted gears, slamming Seales for three boundaries in a single over to reach his half-century.
A flourish of boundaries and missed chances
The pair continued to bat with calculated aggression, effortlessly piercing gaps and running sharply between wickets. Sudharsan raised his second Test fifty with a graceful cover drive off Pierre, while Jaiswal dominated the scoring, dispatching Phillip to the ropes twice before reaching his seventh Test century — celebrated with a heart gesture and flying kisses to the crowd.
The West Indies had a fleeting chance to claw back when Sudharsan, on 58, offered a simple catch to Warrican at short midwicket — but the spinner put it down, a costly miss that allowed India to head to tea at 220 for one.
Sudharsan falls short, Jaiswal marches on
After the break, Sudharsan looked poised to convert his start into three figures before Warrican struck again. A delivery that gripped and spun sharply trapped him leg-before for 87, ending a polished 165-ball innings laced with 12 boundaries.
From there, Jaiswal resumed full control, reaching 150 with a single off Pierre and closing the day in partnership with captain Shubman Gill (20 not out). The unbroken third-wicket stand of 67 ensured India remained firmly in command at the close.
Jaiswal’s 253-ball stay has so far included 22 boundaries, a testament to both his patience and precision. For the West Indies, Warrican’s tireless 30 overs brought figures of 2 for 60, but the visitors otherwise toiled in vain under the Delhi sun.
