Opening Session: India’s Cautious Start, WI Look for Early Breakthroughs
The second Test between India and West Indies began with a measured approach at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. India, opting to bat first, found themselves poised at 94/1 after 28 overs, with Sai Sudharsan and Yashasvi Jaiswal stabilising the innings after KL Rahul’s early dismissal. The morning belonged to a contest that emphasized patience over fireworks, as both sides tested the conditions and the bowlers’ lines.
Rahul and Jaiswal opened with watchful strokes, gradually unlocking boundaries as they settled into the innings. Rahul’s six over mid-wickets showed the intent, but a moment of misfortune arrived when Jomel Warrican struck with the turn, dismissing Rahul on just his third delivery of the day. Sudharsan, promoted to number three, has carried the sense of opportunity that accompanies a long Test series and has looked to contribute without forcing the pace.
First Session Highlights: Jaiswal Steady, Sudharsan Intentional
Jaiswal, unbeaten on 40 at lunch and Sudharsan on 16, carried forward a plan to knit together a solid first-innings platform. The pair did not chase perilous shots against spin, instead choosing to take shapes at the right moment and let the ball travel through the field. This approach reflected mature, measured cricket and suggested India’s intent to build a substantial total rather than chasing quick runs.
West Indies’ pacers, Anderson Phillip and Jayden Seales, bowled consistently with a mix of pace and line. They did well to keep India from sprinting away early, with movements off the pitch offering occasional assistance. Phillip’s early danger sign—hitting Rahul on the pads after angling the ball back—illustrated the possible bite available when the surface has a touch of life. Still, India navigated the seam movement and chilly Delhi weather with composure, leaving the field with India heading into lunch in command but not yet expansive.
Strategic Read: Sudharsan’s Role and India’s Balance
Sudharsan’s role remains crucial for India’s long-term plans at No. 3. His first appearance in the Ahmedabad Test raised questions about his pace of development; this innings is a continued test of his temperament and technique under pressure. Skipper Shubman Gill has publicly backed the 23-year-old, emphasizing a longer series lens for evaluating Sudharsan’s potential. The No. 3 position remains a puzzle, but the patience shown by Sudharsan and Jaiswal in the morning session suggests a thoughtful, long-term strategy rather than a quick fix.
What to Watch: Bowling, Conditions, and Momentum
Conditions in Delhi are cooler, with a black-soil pitch that promises batting early on before gradual spin. The ball has moved slightly in the morning, offering some challenge to the batters. The focus for West Indies will be maintaining discipline and continuity in lines, testing the Indian openers’ ability to push through without being drawn into rash shots. For India, the challenge is to convert a settled start into a substantial hundred and beyond, ensuring the middle order has a solid platform to build on.
Context and Outlook: Series Stakes and Leadership
India own recent momentum, having looked in control through Ahmedabad, and will aim to maintain that rhythm with a robust batting performance in Delhi. Gill’s leadership continues to shape a confident, composed unit that values consistency and tempo. For West Indies, the emphasis remains on damage control, addressing long-standing issues with the batting and finding ways to disrupt India’s momentum early in the innings.
Bottom Line: A Steady Start, with Eyes on the Long Game
As Day 1 progresses, India’s approach reflects a clear intent: convert a cautious opening into a commanding innings. Sudharsan and Jaiswal have laid the groundwork, and India will be hoping to push beyond the 250-300 range if conditions stay true to a batting-friendly script. The 2nd Test in Delhi is setting the stage for an intriguing battle of technique, temperament, and strategic depth in this ongoing World Test Championship contest.
