The centuries by KL Rahul (100), Dhruv Jurel (125), and Ravindra Jadeja (104*) put India in a commanding position, from where they cannot lose the game unless a miracle happens. India were 448/5 at the end of Day 2 of the first Test of the two-match series in Ahmedabad. Ravindra Jadeja (104*) and Washington Sundar (9*) were at the crease, with India leading by 286 runs at stumps. Earlier, West Indies chose to bat but collapsed for 162 runs before the tea break on Day 1. By the end of Day 2, India looked in complete control of the match.

Rahul Ends Long Wait for a Home Century

Rahul, who had not scored a century at home since 2016, played with discipline and patience before reaching the milestone. He received an early slice of luck on 57 when Jayden Seales found his outside edge in the day’s first over. But with only a wide first slip in place, the ball sped away to the boundary. Rahul made the most of that chance and went on to complete his hundred. He marked the achievement with a heartfelt gesture—raising his bat in one hand and putting two fingers of the other into his mouth as a tribute to his newborn daughter.

Jurel Marks His First Test Century

Following Rahul, debutant Dhruv Jurel also reached three figures for the first time in his Test career. His batting stood out for its maturity and balance. Jurel showed sharp judgment in deciding which deliveries to play or leave and switched smoothly between defence and attack. Some of his back-foot shots against the pacers drew admiration, and his calm handling of the second new ball hinted that he could adapt well to foreign conditions.

Analysts believe Jurel has a “high floor,” suggesting he can consistently deliver, while Rishabh Pant, with his explosive batting, is seen as having a “high ceiling.” This contrast may open the door for both to feature in India’s XI in the future, with Jurel potentially playing as a specialist batter. His century celebration was a tribute to his father, who served in the Indian Army.

Jadeja Attacks Ruthlessly to Join the Century Club

If Rahul and Jurel built their innings with composure, Jadeja chose a more aggressive path. On a pitch beginning to wear out, West Indies’ spinners found sharp turn from the rough patches. But Jadeja countered this with positive footwork and bold strokes. His plan was simple—charge down the track and look for boundaries. Of his 11 fours, seven came from this approach, along with a six that carried him past the nervous nineties.

Jadeja became the third centurion of the innings, making it the first time since 2018—also against West Indies—that India had three batters score hundreds in the same home Test innings.

West Indies Struggle with Passive Tactics

West Indies, however, failed to put India under pressure. Their captain, Roston Chase, set defensive fields from the very first session, keeping slips away and focusing more on saving runs than taking wickets. This allowed Indian batters to dictate terms.

Their spinners—Jomel Warrican, Roston Chase, and Khary Pierre—bowled long spells on a helpful surface but finished with combined figures of 4 for 283 in 82 overs. Seales, who bowled with heart and consistently hit speeds of 140 kph, remained their lone bright spot. Even on a draining day when he struggled with cramps, he fought hard.

Brief Scorecard