New Delhi, Oct 11 (UNI) Shubman Gill’s authoritative 129 anchored India’s first innings as the hosts declared a massive 518 for 5, leaving the West Indies reeling at 140 for 4 by the close of the second day of the second Test at the Arun Jaitley Stadium here today.
From the moment he walked in, Gill set the tone with calm authority, blending aggression and composure, and guiding India to a commanding position.
Resuming on Day 2, India’s innings surged forward. Yashasvi Jaiswal, in sublime touch, threaded a series of exquisite drives and crisp boundaries through the covers and midwicket, reaching 175 with 22 fours. A miscommunication with Gill brought an untimely run-out, denying him a well-deserved double century, but the damage to the West Indies had already been inflicted.
Gill remained unflustered, driving, cutting, and lofting with precision, including a towering six over deep midwicket. His partnership of 100 with wicketkeeper-batsman Dhruv Jurel, who contributed a composed 44, added both stability and momentum to the total. Nitish Kumar Reddy’s lively 43, punctuated by two majestic sixes, ensured India crossed the 500-run mark before declaring, leaving the West Indies with a mountain to climb.
The West Indies reply began under immediate pressure. John Campbell fell cheaply to a sharp catch by Sai Sudharsan off Ravindra Jadeja, setting the tone for the innings. Teginarine Chanderpaul and Alick Athanaze attempted counter-attacking strokes, with Chanderpaul hitting a magnificent six over the bowler’s head and Athanaze displaying audacious shots, including a reverse sweep for four off Washington Sundar and a lofted six over long-on off Kuldeep Yadav.
Despite these flashes of brilliance, crucial wickets fell at pivotal moments. Roston Chase, the West Indies captain, was dismissed for a duck, caught and bowled by Jadeja. Athanaze, after a patient 41 with five boundaries and a six, was trapped by Kuldeep Yadav’s flighted delivery. Chanderpaul’s resistance ended in the 27th over when KL Rahul held a difficult catch off Jadeja, leaving the visitors precariously placed at 87 for 2 at drinks.
Shai Hope steadied the innings with crisp drives and deft timing, reaching 31 by stumps. Tevin Imlach played some neat strokes, including a classical sweep for four off Washington Sundar and a sharply timed cut off Jadeja. Yet India’s bowlers, disciplined and precise, along with intelligent field placements, ensured the Windies could never fully settle.
By the close, India’s imposing total and sustained pressure left the visitors staring at a massive first-innings deficit. India’s blend of youth, experience, and tactical nous, led by Gill, Jaiswal, Reddy, and Jurel, highlighted their dominance and placed West Indies in a daunting position.
Brief Score:
India 1st innings – 518/5 declared (Shubman Gill 129 not ot, Yashasvi Jaiswal 175, Dhruv Jurel 44, Nitish Kumar Reddy 43)
West Indies 1st innings – 140/4 in 43 overs (Shai Hope 31, Alick Athanaze 41, Teginarine Chanderpaul 34)
