IND vs WI Live Score: Jurel’s Hundred Leads India’s Charge

Dhruv Jurel made a memorable entry into Test cricket with a composed and confident maiden century on Day 2 of the first Test between India and the West Indies in Ahmedabad. His innings, complemented by KL Rahul’s brilliant century and key partnerships throughout the order, put India in a commanding position and highlighted the depth of their batting lineup. 

Day 2 Overview: India in Control 

 India resumed the second day in a strong position after dismissing the West Indies for a modest total on Day 

1. KL Rahul continued his innings from the previous day and reached a much-awaited home Test century, providing a solid foundation. Shubman Gill also contributed effectively, ensuring steady accumulation of runs while keeping the scoreboard ticking. When Dhruv came in, India were at a critical stage of their innings. The young batter displayed exceptional temperament, mixing solid defense with precise strokeplay. His innings was patient yet aggressive at key moments, allowing India to steadily increase their lead while frustrating the West Indies bowlers.

Jurel's Maiden Century 

 Jurel’s maiden Test hundred was a display of maturity and composure. He rotated the strike efficiently, punished loose deliveries, and tackled both pace and spin with confidence. His innings reflected careful shot selection, footwork, and awareness of match situations. The century celebration was heartfelt, reflecting both personal pride and a sense of accomplishment. It was not just a milestone for him personally but a defining moment for India’s middle order. 

Crucial Partnerships 

 Several partnerships shaped India’s innings. The opening stand between Rahul and Gill set the tone, with both batters absorbing pressure and scoring steadily. After Gill’s dismissal, Rahul continued to anchor the innings before falling after completing his century. Jurel then formed vital stands with Ravindra Jadeja and the lower middle order, maintaining momentum and allowing India to cross the 300-run mark. These partnerships wore down the West Indies attack and strengthened India’s first-innings position. 

West Indies Bowling Challenges 

 The West Indies attack faced several hurdles. Fitness concerns and limited bowling options affected their performance. One of their pace bowlers left the field with a minor injury, leaving the remaining bowlers to shoulder extra pressure. The inability to sustain consistent spells allowed India’s batters to rotate strike freely and find boundaries when needed. The pitch provided some assistance to spinners, but India negotiated it comfortably. The visitors were forced into defensive fields, giving the home side more freedom to build their innings. 

Social Media Reactions 

 Jurel's hundred became a major talking point on social media. Fans praised his technique, temperament, and emotional celebration. Clips of his milestones and key shots were widely shared, with cricket enthusiasts highlighting his potential as a dependable wicketkeeper-batter for India. KL Rahul’s century also drew attention, celebrated for its timing and significance after a period of inconsistent form. The combination of Rahul’s experience and Jurel’s breakthrough performance created an exciting narrative for fans and analysts.

India’s Advantage in the Match 

 With a lead of over 150 runs and wickets in hand, India is firmly in control. The pitch is starting to offer turn, which could allow India’s spinners to play a bigger role in the West Indies’ second innings. The hosts can aim to extend their lead further, providing their bowlers enough time to exploit the conditions and press for a first-innings advantage. The West Indies face the immediate challenge of taking early wickets and stabilizing their innings. Without a strong response, India could dominate the match and move closer to a series-opening victory. 

Key Takeaways

 Dhruv Jurel: His maiden century confirms his potential and reliability in the middle order. His composure and ability to build partnerships under pressure make him a valuable addition to the team. KL Rahul: The experienced opener’s century reaffirms his importance in the batting lineup, particularly in home conditions. His innings set the tone for India’s dominance. West Indies: The visitors need to manage fitness concerns and find ways to maintain pressure. Without early breakthroughs, they risk falling further behind in the match.

Conclusion 

 Day 2 of the Ahmedabad Test was dominated by India’s batting, with Dhruv Jurel’s maiden century being the highlight. Alongside KL Rahul’s century and strong partnerships through the order, India established a substantial first-innings lead. Jurel’s innings not only strengthened India’s position on the scoreboard but also added an exciting narrative to the series. His combination of skill, composure, and emotional celebration will be remembered by fans, marking Day 2 as a milestone in both his career and India’s commanding performance.