IND vs WI 2nd Test - Jaiswal and Sudharsan Put on a Show as India Dominate Day 1

IND vs WI, 2nd Test, Day 1 - Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi

What a day of cricket at the Arun Jaitley Stadium! India ended Day 1 at a commanding 318/2, and if you were at the ground or watching on TV, you witnessed something special. Yashasvi Jaiswal is still out there on 173, and watching him bat today felt like watching an artist at work.

Jaiswal's Day to Remember

Let's be honest—Jaiswal has been knocking on the door of greatness for a while now, but today he kicked that door wide open. His unbeaten 173 off 253 balls wasn't your typical grind-it-out Test innings. This was controlled aggression at its finest, the kind of batting that makes you put down your phone and just watch.

The 23-year-old looked comfortable right from the start. Cover drives that made you go "wow," pull shots that sent the ball racing to the boundary, and the confidence to take on both pace and spin without breaking a sweat. He reached his seventh Test century in just 145 balls, and honestly, it never looked difficult.

What impressed me most wasn't just the 16 boundaries or the big score—it was how he handled different situations. When West Indies tightened things up, he was patient. When they gave him width or overpitched, he put them away. No fuss, no drama, just pure batting.

Watching him play spin was a treat too. His footwork was quick, his judgment spot on. And against the new ball? He looked like he'd been opening in Tests for a decade, not a couple of years. There's something about the way he bats that just feels different—a maturity beyond his years mixed with the fearlessness of youth.

Right now, he's 27 runs away from a double century. If he gets there tomorrow, it'll be one of those innings people talk about for years.

Don't Sleep on Sudharsan

Here's the thing about Sai Sudharsan's 87—it deserves way more credit than it'll probably get. Yes, Jaiswal stole the show, but Sudharsan played a beautiful hand at No. 3, a position that's been a bit of a revolving door for India lately.

He came in and just... settled. No wild slogs, no reckless shots, just good old-fashioned Test cricket. His 165-ball knock had everything you want to see from a No. 3—solid defense, crisp drives, and smart batting against spin. He looked completely in control.

The partnership with Jaiswal was fascinating to watch. While Jaiswal was taking the attack to the bowlers, Sudharsan was happy playing second fiddle, rotating the strike, keeping things ticking. Then when Jaiswal slowed down a bit, Sudharsan stepped up. That's what good partnerships look like.

Falling 13 runs short of a hundred must sting, no doubt about it. You could see it on his face when he walked back. But here's what matters—he's shown he belongs at this level. The technique is there, the temperament is there, and most importantly, the ability to bat long is there. That hundred will come, probably sooner rather than later.

A Partnership for the Ages

The 193-run stand between these two was the backbone of India's day. It wasn't just about the runs—it was how they went about it. They made batting look ridiculously easy on what was admittedly a pretty good pitch.

West Indies barely had a sniff. No plays and misses, no close calls, no edges through the slips. Just two guys completely on top of their game. They ran hard between the wickets, communicated brilliantly, and never let the bowlers settle.

You know a partnership is special when even neutral fans start enjoying it. This was one of those.

Tough Day for the Windies

Look, we've got to feel a bit for the West Indies bowlers. They didn't bowl badly—the pitch just offered them nothing. Jomel Warrican worked hard for his 2/60, getting both the wickets that fell, but on a surface this flat, that's about as good as it gets.

The pacers tried their best but found no movement in the air or off the pitch. The fielders were sharp, kept things tight when they could, but against batsmen in this kind of form, you need the pitch to help you out at least a little. They got no such luck.

By the end of the day, you could see the fatigue setting in. That's what happens when two set batsmen bat all day without giving you a chance.

Gill Steady at the Other End

Shubman Gill is still there on 20, and while it's not a big score, it matters. India will start Day 2 with two set batsmen—one closing in on a double hundred and a fresh captain ready to capitalize. That's a nightmare scenario for any bowling side.

Gill's decision to bat first after finally winning a toss (his first in seven attempts!) looks brilliant now. Sometimes captaincy is just about making the obvious call and letting your batsmen do the rest.

What's Next?

India are in dreamland at 318/2. With Jaiswal eyeing 200, a long batting lineup still to come, and conditions likely to get tougher for batting later in the match, they'll want to bat big tomorrow. We're talking 500-plus territory.

For Jaiswal, tomorrow morning will be about staying focused. He's come too far to throw it away now. That double century is right there, and on current form, you wouldn't bet against him.

West Indies need early wickets—preferably Jaiswal's—if they want to stay in this game. Otherwise, this could turn into a very long Test match for them.

The Bottom Line

This was India's day through and through. Jaiswal batted like a man possessed, Sudharsan showed he's got what it takes, and together they put on a clinic in Test batting.

Jaiswal's 173 isn't just a big score—it's a statement. He's no longer a promising youngster; he's a genuine match-winner. The way he constructs innings, the range of shots he has, the temperament he brings—it's all there.

Sudharsan might be disappointed about missing his hundred, but he's done his chances of cementing that No. 3 spot a world of good. The team management now knows they have someone reliable there.

India are in complete control. Tomorrow could see them bat West Indies out of the game entirely. And with Jaiswal on the verge of something really special, Day 2 might be just as entertaining.

Day 1 Summary:

• Score: India 318/2 (90 overs)

• Yashasvi Jaiswal: 173* (253 balls, 16 fours)

• B Sai Sudharsan: 87 (165 balls)

• Partnership: 193 runs for the 2nd wicket

• Shubman Gill: 20*

• Best Bowler: Jomel Warrican 2/60

Can't wait for tomorrow. Jaiswal's double hundred? India crossing 600? It's going to be fun.