IND vs WI Ahmedabad Test: Rahul 100, Jurel 125, Jadeja 104
Ahmedabad, India — The opening Test between India and the West Indies at the Narendra Modi Stadium has begun with a flourish for the home side. A day two showpiece performance saw openers, middle order, and lower middle order contributing to a commanding 448 for 5, with three players cracking centuries or near-centuries. Openers in the foreground, but it was a trio of standout performances that grabbed the game by the collar: Rahul reached a hard-earned 100, Dhruv Jurel followed with 125, and Ravindra Jadeja anchored with 104 not out, while captain Shubman Gill chipped in with a fluent 50 as India built a substantial first-innings lead.
Day 1: West Indies Dismissed for 162
The West Indies were bowled out for 162 after winning the toss and batting first. India’s pace battery led the charge, with Mohammad Siraj delivering 4/40 and Jasprit Bumrah 3/42. Kuldeep Yadav added 2/25 as a disciplined display left the Caribbean side with little to take forward. The surface offered some help to the quicks early on, setting the tone for a dominant Indian display with the ball before the chase began.
Rahul, Jurel, and Jadeja: The Batting Masterclass
India’s reply began with careful progress and then exploded into a display of depth. Rahul’s 100 came off 197 balls, anchored by patient defense and crisp drives, and marked his ninth international century. Dhruv Jurel then took centrestage, compiling 125 from 210 balls, with 15 fours and 3 sixes, showcasing temperament beyond his years. Jadeja added a rapid 104 off 176 balls, mixing boundary hits with the stopwatch-like running between wickets, finishing with five sixes and a flurry of boundaries that punctuated India’s innings. Captain Gill contributed a steady 50 from 100 balls, and at lunch India stood at 218 for 3, before Rahul pushed toward his hundred in the afternoon. Sundar’s unbeaten 9 matched the tail-enders and helped India cross the 400-mark, leaving them with a 286-run lead heading into the next session.
Bowling and Pitch: A Balanced Start
The Ahmedabad pitch drew attention for its balance. Early on, India’s fast bowlers exploited any seam movement, before spin began to assert itself as the surface wore in. The curators’ intent to balance the surface was evident, though the bowlers had stints of control throughout the day. Siraj, Bumrah, and Kuldeep combined to dismiss the Windies in their first innings, while India’s batters took full advantage of the chance to seize control of the match regardless of the surface’s evolving behavior.
What This Means for the Series
With India taking a sizable lead and five top-order contributions along the way, the hosts have laid down a strong marker in the first Test. The batting line-up showed resilience and a remarkable ability to convert starts into big scores, while the bowlers delivered the breakthrough moments needed to tilt the balance. The West Indies face an uphill task in this encounter, but a strong start from their captain and a stubborn lower order will give them a reason to believe they can rebound in the remaining days.
Key Takeaways for the Fans
– Rahul’s steady 100 showcases his class and appetite for big scores in home Tests.
– Jurel’s 125 demonstrates his temperament and ability to accelerate when required.
– Jadeja’s 104 shows his match intelligence and finishing power with the bat.
– The pace battery’s early dominance and the surface’s later spin underline the game’s evolving challenge for both sides.
Next Steps
As the second day’s proceedings resume, India will look to extend their advantage and push for a commanding first-innings declaration if the opportunity arises. West Indies, meanwhile, will aim to bat long and put up a stubborn defense to keep the series alive. Expect continued drama with bat and ball as Ahmedabad hosts this high-stakes contest.
