India End Day 1 with a commanding position after Jaiswal’s 150
The second Test between India and West Indies at the Feroz Shah Kotla clocked a remarkable Day 1, with Yashasvi Jaiswal anchoring the innings and guiding India to 290/2 by the close. The 21-year-old, already a heavy scorer in Tests this year, reached 150 in 224 balls, becoming only the fifth Indian to notch multiple 150s in their Test career. His masterclass, paired with KL Rahul’s measured start and Sai Sudharsan’s vibrant counterpunch, set the tone for a dominant session after lunch.
Key partnerships that shaped the day
Jaiswal stitched crucial stands with Rahul in the morning, and later paired with Sudharsan to keep the run-rate buoyant in flatter conditions. Sudharsan’s 50 came with a blend of touch and aggression, notably through sharp cover drives and a confident footwork against the spinners. The pair’s 11th century partnership, highlighted by the Day 1 context, underscored India’s intent to bat long and post a telling total on aKotla pitch that offered varying assistance to the bowlers.
Rahul’s early setback and Jaiswal’s clinical conversion
Rahul fell to a sharp, turning delivery from Jomel Warrican, a reminder that the pitch offered swing and turn in equal measure early on. Jaiswal, meanwhile, absorbed the threats in the opening hour and gradually shifted gears as the ball softened. His 150 showcased patience, breadth of strokes, and the discipline required to convert rhythm into big runs on Day 1.
West Indies’ plan and India’s reply
West Indies opted to continue with Warrican at the start of the new.ball block and introduced Seales from the other end, hoping to extract movement and drought the scoring. While the new-ball spell did not yield immediate wickets, it did provide occasional pressure, and the innings benefited from sturdy defense and selective attacking shots off the back foot when seamers erred. The Indian batters answered with a composed approach, resisting the temptation to chase big 2nd-innings-type adrenaline in the early hours and instead building an innings for the long haul.
Mid-session snapshot: Jaiswal on 133 at Drinks
During the third session, Jaiswal sat on 133 with Gill showing signs of a settled start, as the Windies fielders sought to lift the tempo in the middle overs. Gill’s cautious start, combined with Sudharsan’s earlier half-century, laid a framework for India to accelerate after tea. Restraint in the daytime session served as a reminder of Kotla’s two-paced nature and the merit in letting the ball come to the bat before striking through the line.
What to expect on Day 2
With India at 290/2, Day 2 looms with the hosts looking to push beyond 350 and set up a platform for a strong declaration window. West Indies will seek to apply pressure with the new ball and target the moments when the wicket offers assistance to spin and seam alike. Look for a possible elevation in aggression from Gill if the ball remains soft and a continuation of Sudharsan’s aggressive intent to maintain India’s momentum.
Final thought
Day 1 in Delhi reinforced India’s dominance with a 300-plus score likely on the cards as Jaiswal’s classy 150 anchors a gainly first-day performance. The WI bowlers showed glimpses of contest, but India’s depth and patience will make this a challenging chase for the visitors on an evolving Kotla surface.
