IND vs WI, 1st Test: Hundreds from Rahul, Jurel, Jadeja place India in total control vs West Indies

As the sun shone bright throughout Friday, Indian batters dazzled at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Even though the largest cricketing venue in the world remained empty for the second day in a row, K.L. Rahul, Dhruv Jurel, and Ravindra Jadeja ensured there was enough action as they hammered centuries to extend India’s lead to 286 against an inexperienced West Indies bowling line-up.

While it was a maiden Test century for Jurel, Rahul raised his second home Test century after a nine years wait. Since scoring a 199 against England in Chennai in December 2016, Rahul had to wait for 3,211 days to reach his second Test ton at home. And as he squeezed a flick through the mid-wicket, sprinted towards the other end, and removed his helmet off, Rahul looked relieved.

However, he failed to convert his hundred into a bigger innings as he picked out Justin Greaves at short extra-cover with an expansive drive attempt off a Jomel Warrican delivery.

But with Jadeja and Jurel forging a 206-run partnership for the fifth wicket, India reached stumps on the second day at 448 for five, having buried West Indies under a mountain of runs.

After a dull morning session, West Indies’ spinners were able to turn the ball out of the rough, but a cautious Rahul laid the foundation, before Jadeja and Jurel took the bowlers to task. This was the third time this year, after Leeds and Manchester, where three Indian batters scored centuries in a single innings.

West Indies clearly missed the experience of Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph in the opening session, as its young fast bowlers were unable to put Rahul and captain Shubman Gill under any sort of pressure.

It failed to capitalise on its only opportunity when Jayden Seales found Rahul’s outside edge, only for the ball to travel between the first slip and wicketkeeper. Thereafter, both Gill and Rahul looked at ease and did not have to break a sweat to get past West Indies’ first-innings tally.

Gill was in complete control as he dealt in boundaries and looked set for a big innings, before the West Indies tweaked its plan slightly, with left-arm spinner Khary Pierre, who had operated from round the stumps until then, switching sides in a bid to exploit the footmarks outside the leg stump. The move was initially successful in slowing down the run flow.

Rahul played a pre-meditataed reverse sweep, which also tempted Gill. However, as he tried playing a similar shot against Roston Chase in the next over, the Indian captain ended up finding Greaves at first slip.

However, West Indies’ celebrations were short-lived as Rahul rebuilt with Jurel and ensured that there were no further blows before lunch. While the touring side managed to slow down the runs, it was surprising that Jomel Warrican was given only two overs before lunch.

The spinner, though, proved his mettle as he tricked Rahul into hitting a tossed up delivery to Greaves at extra cover. For a moment, the West Indies camp looked excited and perhaps hoped to bounce back, but with Jurel and Jadeja around, things remained in India’s favour. Jurel pulled Chase for the first six of the game over deep square leg, while Jadeja hit Warrican for two sixes over long-on in the same over.

As they rotated the strike and also hit a few boundaries in between, Chase brought back Seales, hoping to generate some reverse swing with the new ball due. The plan did not work out, forcing the West Indies captain to bring back the spinners.

Jadeja greeted Warrican with a six over long-on, and extended the team’s lead. By the time the West Indies took the new ball in the 98th over, India was already in the driver’s seat. Though the boundaries dried up, Jurel and Jadeja were determined to bring up their centuries and add to the touring team’s woes.

Jurel dedicated his century to the Indian Army and also paid tribute to his father, who is a retired Army man. And after waiting in the wings for quite a while, the wicketkeeper-batter made the most of the opportunity in the absence of Rishabh Pant and stamped his class.

By the time Khary Pierre had him caught behind against the run of play, Jadeja was nearing three-figures. Inside three overs, Jadeja not only scored his century, but also became the second-highest scorer in Tests this year, surpassing Rahul.

Returning to Test cricket after two months, there were apprehensions about how India would approach the home season, but with Rahul showing the way, India remained on the right path. As the seasoned batter reached his 11th Test ton, he kissed the badge, raised his bat up in one hand and stuck two fingers of the other in his mouth, like a child.

Having become a father recently, it was perhaps Rahul’s way of paying a little tribute to the new life and showing his love for the new member of the family. And, it certainly was a perfect celebration!

Published on Oct 03, 2025