Key Points

India showcased complete dominance in the second Test against West Indies at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Shubman Gill's unbeaten 129 and Yashasvi Jaiswal's 175 helped India declare at 518/5. Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav then reduced West Indies to 140/4, putting India in a strong position. The visitors are trailing by 378 runs with two days of play remaining.

Key Points: Gill's 129 Powers India to Dominate West Indies in 2nd Test

  • Shubman Gill scores fifth Test century as captain
  • Yashasvi Jaiswal falls short of double hundred
  • Ravindra Jadeja takes crucial 3 wickets
  • West Indies trail by 378 runs after day two
5 min read

2nd Test: Jadeja, Kuldeep reduce WI to 140/4 after Gill's unbeaten 129 propels India to 518/5

Shubman Gill's unbeaten century and Jadeja's bowling prowess put India in a commanding position against West Indies in Delhi Test.

"A commanding first-innings total of 518/5 - Match Commentary"

New Delhi, Oct 11

Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav took four wickets collectively as India strengthened their position in the second Test by reducing West Indies to 140/4 in 43 overs, trailing by 378 runs at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

Shai Hope remained unbeaten on 31 to offer some resistance for the visitors after Jadeja (3-37) and Kuldeep (1-45) struck in tandem to trigger a collapse of the visitors from 87/1 to 107/4. While West Indies showed more grit than they did in Ahmedabad, their innings was punctuated by lapses in concentration - errors that have repeatedly cost them in this series.

India's dominance in front of 15,700 spectators on day two was established by declaring a commanding first-innings total of 518/5. It was led by Shubman Gill's unbeaten 129 - his tenth century in the format and fifth as the Indian captain, featuring 16 fours and two sixes, while Yashasvi Jaiswal scored a majestic 175. As the pitch begins to show signs of wear and tear, the hosts will aim to press home their advantage on day three.

The day began with a heartbreak for India as Jaiswal's attempt at a third Test double hundred was cut short by a strange run-out in the second over. After driving a full ball to mid-off, Jaiswal set off for a quick single, but Gill had already called no. By then, Tagenarine Chanderpaul threw in a direct hit to the keeper's end, and although Jaiswal desperately turned back after being more than halfway down the pitch, keeper Tevin Imlach quickly disturbed the stumps.

Nitish Kumar Reddy, promoted to number five with the aim of getting some game time by the Indian team management, survived a close lbw appeal on the second ball he faced from Jayden Seales, before square driving him for four.

Reddy had some luck again when he went hard on a drive and went just past second slip for four, even as Gill found boundaries easily through flicks, drives, and slashes, before reaching his fifty with a superbly timed flick through mid-wicket for four off Seales.

Luck was once again on Reddy's side when, on 20, Anderson Philip dropped his catch at mid-off off Jomel Warrican's bowling. Reddy then launched Warrican for two sixes and a four, even as a calm Gill received huge cheers from a lively weekend crowd by leaning into a half-volley from Greaves and driving through wide of mid-off for four, before thrashing him through the gap at extra cover for another boundary.

But Reddy fell seven runs short of his fifty when he attempted to clear Warrican with a slog sweep, but he holed out to long-on. With West Indies' bowling being unthreatening, Gill swept Pierre for four, before Dhruv Jurel brought out his solid leg-side shots to secure quick boundaries.

Gill then effortlessly drove Chase for four, before reaching his fifth Test century as India's captain in 177 balls with a fine cut through cover for three runs, earning warm applause from the eager crowd. After that, Gill shifted gears by smashing Chase for six, then sweeping and cutting to find his boundaries, even as Jurel was given a reprieve at 39.

Jurel, who impressed with his ability to select lengths quickly, went for a pull shot on an overpitched ball from Chase but was bowled for six runs short of his fifty. As he walked off, Gill arrived too, as India declared in the middle of the second session and invited West Indies to bat out the remaining 43 overs of the day.

West Indies displayed early composure as John Campbell and Tagenarine Chanderpaul carefully negotiated Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj's initial swing and low bounce under the afternoon sun.

Campbell looked promising, collecting two boundaries off Siraj and Jadeja with a leaning drive and a deft paddle sweep respectively. However, he was dismissed in a freak manner for eight runs, courtesy of a sharp take by B Sai Sudharsan at forward short leg - the ball coming off a sweep hit Sudharsan's helmet and ensured it didn't pop out of his hands.

Both Chanderpaul and Alick Athanaze appeared confident in defence, moving confidently either forward or backwards, and did not seem flustered even when four consecutive maidens were delivered. Athanaze enjoyed facing Kuldeep Yadav's bowling, as he cut, lofted, swept, and reverse-swept him for a six and three fours.

The wrist-spinner almost trapped Chanderpaul lbw, but an inside edge saved him. With Chanderpaul hitting convincing boundaries off Ravindra Jadeja and Athanaze playing sweep and lap shots off Washington Sundar, the West Indies managed to secure their first fifty-run stand of the series.

But Jadeja ended the 66-run partnership by forcing Chanderpaul to edge to a juggling first slip. Athanaze was the next to go, as he dragged a slower ball from Kuldeep to mid-wicket and fell for 41. Skipper Roston Chase was also dismissed - trying to flick a length ball to the leg side, but offering a simple return catch to Jadeja.

Hope kept fighting for the West Indies with his elegant drives to collect five boundaries in his first 38 balls. He and Imlach (14 not out) ensured that West Indies didn't suffer another loss in the wickets' column before curtains came on day two's play, again in India's favour.

Brief Scores: India 518/5 in 134.2 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 175, Shubman Gill 129 not out; Jomel Warrican 3-98, Roston Chase 1-83) lead West Indies 140/4 in 43 overs (Shai Hope 31 not out, Tagenarine Chanderpaul 34; Ravindra Jadeja 3-37, Kuldeep Yadav 1-45) by 378 runs

- IANS

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Reader Comments

A
Arjun K
Jadeja and Kuldeep bowling in tandem is pure magic! The way they triggered that collapse from 87/1 to 107/4 shows why we're the best test team. Pitch is deteriorating, perfect for our spinners tomorrow. 💪
P
Priya S
While the performance is excellent, I'm a bit concerned about the dropped catches and missed opportunities. Against stronger teams, these could cost us. Fielding needs to be sharper, especially in slip cordon.
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Rohit P
Shubman Gill proving why he's the future! 129* as captain and handling the team so well. Delhi crowd was amazing today - that energy really lifts the players. Can't wait for day 3! 🔥
M
Michael C
The partnership between Jaiswal and Gill was pure entertainment! 175 from Jaiswal before that unfortunate run-out. West Indies showing some fight but 378 runs behind is a mountain to climb.
K
Kavya N
Nitish Reddy showed good promise despite falling short of fifty. The way he hit those sixes against Warrican was impressive! Youngsters getting opportunities and learning - perfect for team building. 👏
V
Vikram M
Declaration timing was perfect by Gill. Gave our bowlers enough time to

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