Team India began Day 1 of the second Test against the West Indies on a positive note, reaching 94 for 1 at lunch at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Captain Shubman Gill won his first toss as Test skipper and elected to bat first on a pitch that looked ideal for batting.
Openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal started cautiously, assessing the conditions and seeing off the new ball. Rahul looked fluent from the beginning, mixing solid defense with attacking intent, while Jaiswal showed maturity by leaving deliveries outside off and waiting for scoring opportunities.
The partnership added 58 runs before Rahul was dismissed for 38 off 54 balls, stumped by Tevin Imlach off the bowling of Jomel Warrican. Rahul, who had earlier struck five boundaries and a powerful six off Khary Pierre, was undone by a flighted delivery that spun away sharply.
Despite the wicket, India remained steady as Jaiswal (40 off 78)* and Sai Sudharsan (16 off 36)* guided the team to the lunch break without further damage. Both left-handers looked comfortable, using their feet well against the spinners and rotating the strike smartly.
A strong start after a crucial toss win
Winning the toss was crucial in Delhi, where the surface is expected to deteriorate as the game progresses. Shubman Gill, leading India in his first home Test as captain, chose to bat first — a decision that paid off immediately as the openers laid a solid foundation.
The Kotla pitch offered consistent bounce but minimal movement, allowing batters to play their strokes freely once they settled in. Rahul and Jaiswal took full advantage, especially during the later stages of the morning session.
Rahul’s elegant straight drives and Jaiswal’s confident footwork against spin drew applause from the Delhi crowd. Both players looked determined to make it count after a good start.
Rahul’s solid knock ends too soon
Just as KL Rahul appeared set for another big score, Jomel Warrican produced a clever piece of bowling. Tossing it up outside off, he lured Rahul into advancing down the pitch. The ball spun sharply past the edge, and wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach completed an easy stumping.
Rahul’s dismissal left India at 58 for 1, but there was no panic in the dressing room. Yashasvi Jaiswal continued to play with patience, while debutant Sai Sudharsan settled in with a few crisp boundaries.
Youngsters show maturity under pressure
Yashasvi Jaiswal, who had missed out in the previous Test, looked far more composed this time. His shot selection was disciplined, and his timing on the straight drives and square cuts stood out.
Sai Sudharsan, meanwhile, showed glimpses of his class with some stylish strokes. His cover drive off Warrican was a delight to watch. With the duo looking comfortable, India will be eyeing a total well past 400 to put the visitors under pressure.
India’s strategy: depth, patience, and confidence
India’s approach under Shubman Gill reflects clarity and purpose. The skipper has emphasized maintaining high intensity regardless of the opposition. “It doesn’t matter who we’re playing. We want to play at our own standard and keep improving,” Gill said before the match.
With players like Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, and Washington Sundar waiting in the middle order, India’s batting looks deep and balanced. The team’s mix of youth and experience is serving them well as they aim to solidify their World Test Championship position.
West Indies’ struggles continue
For the West Indies, the struggles persist. Their bowling attack looked short on ideas after a promising initial spell. While Jayden Seales bowled with heart, the rest failed to maintain pressure. Captain Roston Chase introduced spinners early, but India’s batters negotiated them confidently.
Head coach Darren Sammy has been vocal about the team’s challenges, describing the decline in West Indies Test cricket as “a difficult phase that needs rebuilding from the roots.” Despite efforts from legends like Brian Lara and Viv Richards in advisory roles, the Caribbean side continues to search for consistency and belief.
Shubman Gill’s growing leadership impact
Shubman Gill’s calm and composed leadership has been a major talking point this series. After a convincing win in Ahmedabad, his tactical awareness and support for young players like Sudharsan and Reddy have stood out.
Gill has repeatedly stressed the importance of building a strong red-ball foundation. “If your Test base is strong, the results in ODIs and T20s automatically improve,” he said earlier this week, drawing examples from teams like England and Australia.
Pitch and session analysis
The Delhi pitch is expected to play true for the first two days, with turn coming into play from Day 3. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate mentioned the presence of dry patches that could aid spinners later. For now, batting looks comfortable, and India’s goal will be to bat the visitors out of the match.
By lunch, India’s scorecard read 94/1 in 28 overs — a reflection of control, temperament, and dominance.
Key highlights of the morning session
- Toss: India won the toss and elected to bat.
- Opening partnership: Rahul and Jaiswal added 58 runs for the first wicket.
- Rahul’s innings: 38 off 54 balls, including five fours and one six.
- Jaiswal steady: Unbeaten on 40 off 78 balls.
- Sai Sudharsan: 16 not out, looked composed at the crease.
- Lunch score: India 94/1 in 28 overs.
What to expect in the next session
With Jaiswal well set and Sudharsan finding rhythm, India will look to accelerate after lunch. A platform is ready for the middle order — Gill, Jadeja, and Jurel — to convert this into a big first-innings total.
The West Indies, on the other hand, will hope for early breakthroughs. Without quick wickets, the day could slip away rapidly, given India’s deep batting and the heat of Delhi.
