Shubman Gill took over from where overnight centurion Yashasvi Jaiswal left off, leading India’s charge with his 10th Test hundred to propel the hosts to a commanding 518 for 5 declared on Day 2 of the second and final Test against the West Indies at the Arun Jaitley Stadium here on Saturday. Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja then stifled the visitors with three wickets to leave them reeling at 140 for 4 at stumps, still trailing by 378 runs.
Resuming the day with a strong foundation, laid by Jaiswal’s century, India made the most of ideal batting conditions. The left-handed opener looked poised for a double century before an unfortunate mix-up with Gill, cut short his stay on 175. Looking to pinch a quick single after tapping the ball to mid-off, Jaiswal was left stranded mid-pitch as Gill sent him back too late. The opener walked off visibly distraught, missing what could have been his third Test double ton.
Gill, however, maintained composure and shifted gears seamlessly to remain unbeaten on 129, his highest Test score on home soil. After Jaiswal’s departure, he partnered with Nitish Reddy, promoted to No.5, to take on the bowling with flair. Nitish played positively, striking two sixes off Jomel Warrican and surviving a dropped catch off Anderson Phillip. His enterprising 43 came to an end when he miscued a lofted shot off Warrican to long-on, the only West Indian bowler who consistently posed questions.
Gill meanwhile continued to bat fluently, bringing up his fifty with a flourish before racing towards his 10th Test hundred, his fifth of the year, joining Virat Kohli as the only Indian captains to achieve that milestone within a single calendar year.
Reddy’s departure brought in wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel, who provided steady support in a brisk stand, scoring freely until his dismissal for 46 off Roston Chase. Jurel’s dismissal prompted Gill to declare midway through the second session, giving his bowlers ample time to attack under fading light.
The West Indies, who had been urged by captain Roston Chase to show greater resolve after being bundled out in 44.1 and 45.1 overs in Ahmedabad, began solidly enough. Openers John Campbell and Tagenarine Chanderpaul negotiated Jasprit Bumrah’s early burst before Campbell fell to an extraordinary piece of fielding misfortune.
Attempting a firm sweep off left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja, Campbell’s shot struck Sai Sudharsan at short leg, ricocheted off his helmet grille and stuck in his hands, a bizarre dismissal that left both teams stunned.
Chanderpaul and Alick Athanaze steadied the innings briefly, compiling a patient 50-run stand. But Jadeja once again broke through, drawing an outside edge that KL Rahul held low at first slip. Athanaze looked confident until he was struck on the helmet by Bumrah, after which he attempted an ill-advised slog sweep off Kuldeep Yadav and found Jadeja at midwicket.
Skipper Chase compounded the visitors’ troubles when he chipped a return catch back to Jadeja, leaving West Indies tottering. Shai Hope and Tevin Imlach then dug in to survive the final session, taking their side to stumps without further loss.
Brief Scores: West Indies 140/4 (Alick Athanaze 41; Ravindra Jadeja 3-37) trail India 518/5 decl. (Yashasvi Jaiswal 175, Shubman Gill 129 not out, Sai Sudharsan 87; Jomel Warrican 3-98) by 378 runs.