Overview
The IND vs WI first Test in Ahmedabad is unfolding as a marquee showdown, with India masterfully exploiting West Indies’ vulnerabilities. After dismissing the visitors for 162 on the opening day, India rode a brutal middle-order assault to post 448/5 by the end of day two. The top three scorers highlighted the depth of India’s batting, while the innings seemed to set up a dominant position for the hosts as the sun set on a busy day of cricket.
Centurions in Ahmedabad: Rahul, Jurel, and Jadeja
India’s innings featured three centurions as the day progressed, peaking with a masterclass from Rahul, Jurel, and Jadeja. Openers’ Rahul Khan Rahul?—sorry—KL Rahul reached a measured hundred off 197 balls, stabilizing India’s run chase at a time when the scoreboard needed backbone. In tandem, Dhruv Jurel struck a fearless 125 from 210 balls, decorated with 15 fours and 3 sixes, and stitched a vital stand that pushed India beyond 350. Ravindra Jadeja then joined the party with a belligerent 104 off 176 balls, peppered with sixes as he rode the momentum with Rahul and Jurel. Captain Shubman Gill contributed a patient 50 off 100 balls, and with Sundar (9*) flourishing at the end, India finished the day well-placed at 448/5.
Rahul’s Century: The Anchor of India’s Innings
Rahul’s innings was a testament to patience and precision. After a quick start, he built a solid century that anchored India’s innings, pacing the chase with careful boundaries and decisive drives. His hundred, coming after a long gap, reminded everyone of his ability to convert starts into big scores on the right pitch and under good rhythm. The surge at the lunch break, with Rahul approaching a hundred, set the tone for a long India innings and gave the team a platform to push on after losing an early wicket or two.
Jurel and Jadeja: A Lethal One-Two Punch
Jurel’s 125 was a bold display from a relatively new heartbeat of India’s batting lineup, as he played his shots with audacity and maturity. He paired superbly with Jadeja, whose 104 added a finishing flourish to the day. The two batsmen accelerated after Rahul’s milestone, peppering the off-side and clearing boundaries with ease. Their partnership helped India climb from a steady 218/3 at lunch to a commanding 448/5 by stumps, with Jadeja cashing in on the tail and Sundar waiting in the wings.
Gill’s Leadership and the Late Surge
Shubman Gill, while notching a fifty, also showcased leadership with his composed approach and strategic fielding setups. His half-century, along with Sundar’s 9*, ensured that India extended the advantage and did not let the momentum slip as they entered the second day. The management of the innings reflected a well-rounded team effort, where captaincy, technique, and panache combined to keep India well ahead in the game.
Bowling, Pitch, and Match Context
Day one’s pace battery—Mohammad Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah—made early inroads by dismantling the Windies top order. Siraj finished with 4/40 and Bumrah with 3/42, while Kuldeep Yadav chipped in with 2/25, setting a tone that India would continue on. The pitch at Ahmedabad showed a blend of assistance for seam movement and gradual turn, leaning toward a spinner’s paradise as the game wore on. The curators and team management have opted for a surface that rewards both pace and patience, which reflected in the way India controlled the session and squeezed West Indies in their first innings.
What It Means for the Series
With a 286-run lead and five wickets in hand, India has laid a strong foundation to press for a comprehensive victory in the first Test. West Indies, led by captain Rostan Chase, have work to do to rebound in the coming days. The test series, structured as a two-match affair, now leans heavily in India’s favor, and the onus will be on the visitors to slow the drift in the second innings while India looks to convert this advantage into a commanding win.
Key Numbers
- Rahul: 100 off 197 balls
- Jurel: 125 off 210 balls
- Jadeja: 104 off 176 balls
- Gill: 50 off 100 balls
- West Indies 1st innings: 162
- India 1st innings: 448/5 (128 overs)
- Bowling: Siraj 4/40, Bumrah 3/42, Kuldeep 2/25
Conclusion
The IND vs WI first Test in Ahmedabad has delivered on expectations with a batting masterclass and a disciplined bowling show. As India eyes the series victory, the Reynolds of West Indies will need a bold response in the remaining sessions to keep the contest alive. If the surface continues to offer assistance to both pace and spin, the stage is set for a compelling finish in this pivotal Test match.
