India’s rising star Yashasvi Jaiswal dominated the first day of the second Test against the West Indies at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, reaching stumps unbeaten on a commanding 173. The left-hander played a masterful innings, consuming 253 deliveries and showcasing a blend of solid defense and aggressive stroke play. He was well-supported by Sai Sudharsan, who scored 87, and KL Rahul, who chipped in with 38. Skipper Shubman Gill remained not out on 20 as India amassed 318 runs for the loss of just two wickets.
This century was a powerful statement from Jaiswal after his 36 in the opening Test. He displayed remarkable composure and a refined approach to his batting. Legendary Indian cricketer Anil Kumble lauded Jaiswal’s performance, emphasizing his hunger for big scores and predicting a potential triple century. “We’ve spoken about his hunger and his attitude toward building big innings, not just for himself but for the team,” Kumble observed. “He’s still out there, and he can go on to score big runs tomorrow. Jaiswal now has a great opportunity, not just for a double hundred, but maybe even a triple hundred tomorrow.”
Jaiswal’s Test career is already characterized by his ability to score prolifically. In just 25 matches, he has amassed over 2000 runs, including seven centuries. What stands out is his propensity for massive scores; five of his seven centuries are 150-plus innings. His first four Test hundreds all exceeded 150, placing him in elite company alongside Graeme Smith for this rare achievement. This consistent pattern indicates a batsman poised for further significant milestones.