Day 2 in Ahmedabad witnessed a batting masterclass that left West Indies shell-shocked and scrambling for answers. Three Indian batsmen reached three figures in a single innings for the third time in 2025—following similar feats in Leeds and Manchester—as KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel, and Ravindra Jadeja subjected the visitors’ bowling attack to relentless punishment.
By stumps, India had accumulated 448 for 5, establishing a commanding lead of 286 runs that has effectively transformed this Test into a potential four-day affair.
Table of Contents
Morning Session: Rahul and Gill Cruise Past West Indies’ Total
The opening hour of Day 2 exemplified the challenge facing visiting teams with inexperienced bowling units in Indian conditions. KL Rahul and Shubman Gill resumed on their overnight scores and proceeded to bat with such authority that West Indies’ total of 162 was surpassed by the drinks break.
India’s Progression on Day 2
| Session | Runs Added | Wickets Lost | Key Milestones |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | 90+ runs | 1 (Gill) | India overtake WI total; Rahul reaches century |
| Afternoon | 150+ runs | 1 (Rahul) | Jurel-Jadeja partnership flourishes |
| Evening | 85+ runs | 1 (Jurel) | Jurel maiden century; Jadeja reaches 100 |
Rahul, resuming on 53, barely broke a sweat as he continued his composed knock. The only moment of concern came when Jayden Seales found his outside edge in the very first over. However, West Indies had deployed a sparsely populated cordon—a defensive field setting that betrayed their lack of confidence. The first slip had been stationed slightly wide, and the edge flew between him and the wicketkeeper, racing away for four. Rahul survived on 57 and made West Indies pay dearly for the lapse.
Shubman Gill exuded complete control throughout his innings, bringing up his eighth Test half-century with trademark elegance. The young opener looked set for a big score until West Indies switched tactics after drinks.
Tactical Shift and Gill’s Dismissal
Left-arm spinner Kharry Pierre, who had operated from round the stumps initially, switched sides to exploit the footmarks outside leg stump. This adjustment served dual purposes: accessing rough patches for turn and curbing India’s easy run flow.
The plan worked. Rahul defended a couple of deliveries before unfurling a pre-meditated reverse sweep. When Gill attempted the same shot against Roston Chase—bowling from round the stumps—in the next over, he mistimed and hit straight to first slip. West Indies finally had a breakthrough, ending the 68-run partnership and giving themselves a brief moment of hope.
The spinners then enjoyed an extended period where they plugged the run flow, using rough patches effectively to create pressure. Despite the squeeze, Rahul remained unflustered, reaching his 11th Test century—and remarkably, only his second at home. His previous home hundred came back in 2016, making this milestone particularly significant for the veteran batsman.
KL Rahul’s Test Century Breakdown
| Century Number | Venue | Year | Score | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11th overall | Ahmedabad | 2025 | 100 | Only 2nd Test century at home |
| 10th | Away | Previous | – | Majority of centuries abroad |
Post-Lunch Assault: Jadeja and Jurel Take Control
India approached the afternoon session with clear intent—repair the scoring lull and accelerate toward dominance. When Jomel Warrican deceived Rahul with a tossed-up delivery that the batsman hit straight to Justin Greaves at extra cover, it brought together Ravindra Jadeja and Dhruv Jurel—a partnership that would torment West Indies for the remainder of the day.
The pair immediately cranked up the aggression. Jurel pulled Chase for the game’s first six over deep square leg, a shot that announced his intentions. Jadeja then charged at Warrican, launching two sixes over long-on in the same over. The message was clear: India would not allow West Indies’ spinners to settle into any rhythm.
Both batsmen constantly sought scoring avenues as India’s lead swelled ominously. Chase tried bringing back Jayden Seales before the new ball was due, hoping reverse swing might create breakthroughs. The ploy failed as Jadeja and Jurel stretched the lead to 112 by the drinks break in the second session.
Pitch Deterioration and India’s Response
As the second day progressed, the pitch began showing signs of wear. The odd ball kept low, while turn became more pronounced—averaging 3 degrees compared to 2.4 on Day 1. These conditions should have favored West Indies’ spinners, but India devised a counter-strategy: aggressive attack.
The collective decision was to charge the spinners, disrupting their lengths and preventing them from consistently hitting the rough patches. Jadeja executed this strategy masterfully. His method was straightforward—advance down the pitch and look for boundaries. Seven of his 11 boundaries came from this approach, demonstrating ruthless intent.
Warrican bore the brunt of Jadeja’s assault. Switching ends provided no respite as Jadeja deposited him for a fourth six—all over long-on, all against the same bowler. This particular maximum was significant for another reason: it took Jadeja’s Test career sixes tally to 79, surpassing MS Dhoni’s record. Only Rishabh Pant (90), Virender Sehwag (90), and Rohit Sharma (88) have hit more sixes in Test cricket for India.
Final Session: Milestones and Dominance
West Indies took the new ball in the 98th over, hoping fresh lacquer might provide breakthroughs. They managed to dry up boundaries for an extended period but remained nowhere near making the crucial incision.
Dhruv Jurel reached his maiden Test century in the second half of the final session, showcasing the capability to fill the void left by Rishabh Pant’s absence. His 210-ball innings featured 15 fours and three sixes—a mature knock that balanced aggression with responsibility. The 25-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman had announced himself on the international stage in spectacular fashion.
Century Makers on Day 2
| Batsman | Score | Balls | Fours | Sixes | Strike Rate | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KL Rahul | 100 | – | – | – | – | c Greaves b Warrican |
| Dhruv Jurel | 125 | 210 | 15 | 3 | 59.52 | c keeper b Pierre |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 104* | – | 11 | 4 | – | Not out at stumps |
Kharry Pierre finally had Jurel caught behind, much against the run of play, ending the spectacular 222-run partnership. But three overs later, Jadeja reached his three-figure milestone, breaching through the nervous nineties with characteristic aggression. He ended the day unbeaten on 104, having become India’s second-highest scorer in Tests in 2025, overtaking Rahul in the process.
Statistical Significance
This marked the third time in 2025 that India have had three centurions in a single innings—a remarkable feat that speaks to their batting depth and adaptability across conditions. Leeds and Manchester witnessed similar achievements during the England tour, and now Ahmedabad has joined that elite list.
Interestingly, the last time India had three centurions in a home Test was 2018—also against West Indies. Jadeja featured in that trio as well, providing a direct link between past glory and present dominance.
West Indies’ Bowling Nightmare
For West Indies’ spinners, Day 2 represented a nightmare scenario. Jomel Warrican, Roston Chase, and Kharry Pierre labored through 82 overs in helpful conditions, yet their combined figures read 4 for 283—an economy rate that laid bare their inability to capitalize on pitch assistance.
West Indies Bowling Analysis
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jomel Warrican | ~30 | ~110 | 1 | ~3.67 |
| Roston Chase | ~32 | 90 | 2 | 2.81 |
| Kharry Pierre | ~20 | ~83 | 1 | ~4.15 |
The defensive field settings in the morning session proved costly. Captain Chase’s decision to welcome the overnight batsmen with a sparsely populated cordon suggested a lack of belief in his bowlers’ ability to take wickets. Seales’ early breakthrough chance—Rahul’s edge that went to the boundary—epitomized how these small decisions compound into massive disadvantages.
The spinners’ inability to maintain pressure allowed India’s batsmen to dictate terms. Even when the pitch offered assistance with sharp turn and variable bounce, India’s aggressive approach disrupted any rhythm the bowlers might have established.
What This Lead Means
India’s 286-run advantage has effectively put the Test beyond West Indies’ realistic reach. Even if the visitors produce their best batting performance of the tour, overtaking this deficit while giving India enough time to bowl them out again seems improbable.
The pitch is deteriorating, with increasing turn and occasional low bounce. Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja will relish bowling fourth innings on this surface. West Indies face the daunting prospect of batting last in conditions that favor spin bowling—historically a recipe for collapse against quality Indian spinners.
Jurel’s Statement Performance
Dhruv Jurel’s maiden century deserves special recognition. The 25-year-old entered this series with questions about his ability to replace the dynamic Rishabh Pant. His answer was emphatic: a composed, controlled, yet aggressive century that showcased technical solidity and strategic awareness.
His partnership with Jadeja—222 runs that broke West Indies’ resistance—demonstrated maturity beyond his years. He knew when to defend, when to rotate strike, and when to attack. The three sixes weren’t reckless slogs but calculated strokes against bad balls.
For a young wicketkeeper-batsman establishing himself in Test cricket, this knock carries immense significance. It’s not just about the runs but the manner—patient accumulation followed by calculated acceleration, exactly what India needed from the No. 6 position.
What to Expect on Day 3
India will likely bat into the first session of Day 3, aiming to extend the lead beyond 350-400 runs before declaring. Jadeja, unbeaten on 104, will seek to maximize his score, while Washington Sundar and the tail can contribute valuable runs.
West Indies face a monumental challenge in their second innings. The pitch offers assistance to spinners, the follow-on looms if they collapse again, and the psychological damage of watching three centurions accumulate runs relentlessly will weigh heavily.
Expect India to deploy Kuldeep Yadav and Jadeja in tandem once West Indies bat, exploiting the rough patches and deteriorating surface. Only a miraculous batting performance can save the visitors from a comprehensive defeat.
Read More: India vs West Indies 1st Test Day 1: Siraj and Rahul Deliver Commanding Performance in Ahmedabad
FAQs
What was the final score on India vs West Indies Day 2?
India reached 448/5 at stumps, establishing a commanding lead of 286 runs over West Indies’ first innings total of 162. Three batsmen scored centuries during the day.
Who scored centuries for India on Day 2?
KL Rahul scored 100 (his 11th Test century and 2nd at home), Dhruv Jurel made 125 (maiden Test century), and Ravindra Jadeja remained unbeaten on 104.
How many times have India had three centurions in an innings in 2025?
This is the third time in 2025—after similar achievements in Leeds and Manchester during the England tour. The last time it happened at home was in 2018 against West Indies.
What record did Ravindra Jadeja break with his sixes?
Jadeja’s fourth six of the innings took his career Test sixes tally to 79, surpassing MS Dhoni’s record. Only Pant (90), Sehwag (90), and Rohit (88) have more for India.
What is the significance of Dhruv Jurel’s century?
It was his maiden Test century, showcasing his ability to fill the void left by Rishabh Pant’s absence. His 210-ball 125 featured maturity and aggression, establishing him as a valuable No. 6 batsman.
