WI vs IND: 1st Test, Day 2 – Jaiswal, Rohit strengthen India’s grip
India continued from where they had left off on Day 1 as openers Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal continued to dominate the West Indies bowlers on Day 2 of the first Test in Dominica. Having dismissed the hosts for a mere 150 on Day 1, the opening duo put up a record-breaking partnership and etched their name in history books as India extended the lead against West Indies to comfortably end Day 2 on 312/2.
The Indian openers continued their dominance as they began the proceedings on July 13, Thursday. After getting a half-century, both Jaiswal and Rohit converted it into a magnificent century and shared a record 229-run partnership. The duo built the highest-ever opening partnership for India against West Indies in Tests, breaking Virender Sehwag and Sanjay Bangar’s record.
Rohit Sharma was dismissed by West Indies’ debutant Alick Athanaze as the youngster got his maiden Test wicket, and also broke the partnership to give his side the much-needed breakthrough. Shubman Gill’s stay on the crease was cut short by Jomel Warrican as the new No. 3 batter was sent packing for 6(11). Virat Kohli (36* off 96) and Jaiswal (143* off 350) then sailed through the day, and in the process, the former surpassed Sehwag to become the fifth leading run scorer for India in Tests.
Day 2 Talking Points
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s record-setting century
Youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal, with his century on Day 2 of the Test, became the first-ever Indian opener to reach the three-figure mark away from home. He became the 17th Indian batter to score a century on Test debut and also surpassed Sourav Ganguly by smashing the highest individual score on debut in the longest format outside Asia.
Rohit Sharma dazzles with a ton
Soon after Jaiswal’s century, Rohit joined the celebrations as he notched up his 10th Test century, and his 44th international ton overall. In the 221 balls that he faced before being dismissed, Rohit scored 103 runs at a strike rate of 46.50 as his knock included 10 fours and two sixes.
West Indies bowlers continue to struggle
The Indian batters continued to trouble the hosts as the bowlers could not find the momentum in the game. India dominated the first session before the Windies bowlers finally managed to pick up a couple of wickets in the second session. But their worries continued in the third session when Jaiswal and Kohli dominated with the bat and put up a promising partnership.
