IND vs WI 1st Test: Rohit-Yashaswi’s double century partnership, lead of 162 to India
Yashasvi Jaiswal (143 not out) scored a century in his debut Test and a double century partnership with captain Rohit Sharma (103) helped India take a solid 162-run lead on Thursday at 312 for two on the second day of the first Test against the West Indies. Have achieved West Indies were bundled out for just 150 runs in the first innings due to Ravichandran Ashwin’s lethal five-wicket haul.
The 21-year-old Mumbai player worked his magic on a pitch at Windsor Park that had no break with the hosts’ bowlers. At the other end, captain Rohit Sharma scored his 10th Test century. West Indies picked up two wickets in the second session but their bowlers could not prevent the visitors from taking a big lead.
In the first session, the West Indies spinners did not give Rohit and Jaiswal a chance to play freely due to the turn and bounce from the pitch. The Indian batsmen could only manage 66 runs in 32 overs. Meanwhile, Jaiswal managed to hit only one boundary and completed his maiden half-century.
The spinners dominated the second hour and troubled the Indian openers with turn and bounce. Meanwhile, a ball from Rakhim Korwal went very close to Jaiswal’s bat but DRS gave relief to the Mumbaikar. Rakhim was once again unlucky when Rohit lofted a rising delivery over backward square leg but narrowly escaped being caught.
After lunch, Jaiswal played attractive shots around the ground and achieved the distinction of becoming the 17th Indian batsman and the third Indian opener to score a century on Test debut. His 229-run partnership with Rohit was also the best opening partnership for India against the West Indies.
Only the sixth instance of both Indian openers scoring centuries in the same innings on overseas soil. Rohit lost his wicket after completing his century, while new batsman Shubman Gill was caught at second slip by Jomel Warrican.
Before tea, Virat Kohli (36 not out) was almost caught at leg-slip by Warrican and survived a first leg-before review but later combined with Jaiswal to take the innings forward. Jaiswal crossed the 50-run mark for the third wicket with Kohli hitting a four off Joseph. Kohli also got into action and hit his first boundary through cover off Warrican.