When Yashasvi Jaiswal, left‑hand opening batsman for India smashed an unbeaten 173 on Day 1, India found itself 318/2 at stumps, a lead that looks almost unassailable.
The match kicked off on 2nd Test between India and West IndiesArun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi at 10:00 AM IST, with the home side already buzzing after a dominant win in Ahmedabad.
Day 1 breakdown: Jaiswal's masterclass
Jaiswal got his first run on the board with a cautious 40 off 78 balls, but the lunch break turned the tide. He ripped through the West Indies attack, reaching his half‑century in just four deliveries after the interval – a rare feat that left the crowd chanting his name.
His aggression was surgical; he dispatched Roston Chase's (see below) off‑spin for a six, then danced past Gudakesh Motie's left‑arm turn. By the time the second session rolled around, he was cruising at 120, and the scoreboard ticked past 200 as his partner B Sai Sudharsan piled on 96 before falling to a sharp catch off Roston Chase.
Partnerships and wickets
India’s opening stand of 58 runs came courtesy of KL Rahul, the vice‑captain and wicket‑keeper‑batsman, who contributed a gritty 38 before being bowled by off‑spinner Jomel Warrican.
After Rahul’s dismissal, the 96‑run effort from Sudharsan and Jaiswal’s on‑fire innings propelled the score to 251/2 at the end of the session. The third wicket fell when Sudharsan copped a feather‑bed delivery from Chase, but the partnership between Jaiswal and captain Shubman Gill added a steady 67 runs, nudging India past the 300‑run mark. In the final overs, a dramatic collision unfolded: Gill, sprinting for a lofted drive, ran head‑on into West Indies keeper Tevin Imlach, who was making his Test debut. Both men crumpled, and the on‑field drama shifted from batting to medical caution. Jaiswal, ever the team‑player, knelt beside Gill and performed an impromptu concussion check, asking him to hold up his fingers – a moment that trended on social media. Team physiotherapists from Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Cricket West Indies (CWI) rushed in, while the umpiring duo of Nitin Menon and Richard Illingworth conferred with match referee David Boon about a potential stoppage.
Gill was cleared after a brief assessment and continued to bat, ending the day unbeaten on 20. The incident sparked a broader conversation about concussion protocols in Test cricket, especially given the high‑intensity nature of modern batting. Jaiswal’s seventh Test century before his 24th birthday puts him alongside South Africa’s Graeme Smith as the only opener to achieve the feat. Only the legendary Sachin Tendulkar has more – 17 centuries before turning 24. The innings also marked the fastest 100 by an Indian opener in a Test, reaching the milestone in just 145 balls. Cricket analysts, including former England fast‑bowler Ian Botham, praised the blend of patience and power, noting that “Jaiswal is redefining what an opening partnership can look like in the sub‑continent.” With a 318‑run lead, India can afford to be strategic. Coach Gautam Gambhir hinted at rotating bowlers to keep the West Indies batsmen guessing, while West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite vowed to bounce back, emphasizing the need for his seam attack to exploit any early morning swing.
The second Test runs until October 14, with a final third‑day session that could decide the series. If Jaiswal continues this form, India looks set to clinch the series 2‑0; however, the West Indies have a history of comeback victories, and the pitch is expected to soften, aiding spin in the later days.
Beyond the scoreboard, the match highlighted the growing emphasis on player safety, the evolving role of openers in the Test arena, and the depth of talent in Indian cricket pipelines.
The massive first‑innings total gives India a cushion that lets the bowlers attack without fear of a collapse. Even if West Indies recover, they’ll need a huge partnership to erase the deficit, making a 2‑0 series win highly probable. Both teams’ medical staff performed on‑field concussion checks, and the ICC’s updated protocol required a 15‑minute observation period before Gill could resume. The incident prompted a review of protective headgear for lower‑order batsmen. Only Graeme Smith has matched the seven centuries before age 24 as an opener; Tendulkar far exceeds both with 17. Jaiswal’s rapid scoring rate also surpasses previous Indian openers like Sunil Gavaskar, who took more deliveries per hundred.
The Delhi surface is expected to soften, favouring spin. India’s spinners will likely become more threatening, while West Indies will rely on their left‑arm orthodox Gudakesh Motie to exploit turn.
Besides Jaiswal, keep an eye on Shubman Gill’s recovery, KL Rahul’s return to the crease, and West Indies all‑rounder Roston Chase, who could swing momentum with both bat and ball.
Collision and concussion protocol
Historical significance and records
Looking ahead: What the rest of the series could hold
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Jaiswal’s 173 affect India’s chances in the series?
What safety measures were taken after Gill’s collision?
How does Jaiswal’s record compare with past Indian openers?
What impact might the pitch conditions have on the remaining days?
Who are the key players to watch in the upcoming sessions?