Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill (Video grabs)
NEW DELHI: The opening day of the second India vs West Indies Test at Arun Jaitley Stadium on Friday was undeniably dominated by Yashasvi Jaiswal. His breathtaking unbeaten knock of 173 guided India to a formidable total of 318/2 by stumps. Captain Shubman Gill, contributing an unbeaten 20, partnered with Jaiswal to add 67 crucial runs for the third wicket, firmly placing India in a commanding position.
Beyond Jaiswal’s batting masterclass, a remarkably light-hearted and unusual incident captured the attention of cricket enthusiasts globally. Late in the day, during a quick single in the 85th over, Gill had an unfortunate collision with West Indies wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach. Both players appeared shaken, prompting medical teams to swiftly attend to them.
In a moment that quickly went viral across social media, Jaiswal stepped into the role of an impromptu ‘doctor’ to check on Gill. The 23-year-old opener playfully mimicked the standard concussion protocol, humorously asking the Indian captain how many fingers he was holding up. The shared laughter between the two players highlighted Jaiswal’s quick wit and the strong camaraderie within the team, earning widespread praise from fans.
Jaiswal’s individual performance was historic. His 173 runs, scored off 253 balls with 22 boundaries, marked his second instance of achieving a score of 150 or more on the first day of a Test match in India. His previous such feat was a magnificent 179 against England in Vizag in 2024. This achievement places him in an elite club, with only Virat Kohli having accomplished a similar milestone at the same venues. Remarkably, five of Jaiswal’s seven Test centuries have surpassed the 150-run mark, putting him in esteemed company alongside legends like Don Bradman, who had eight 150+ scores before turning 24.
With India concluding Day 1 on a strong 318/2, all eyes are now on Jaiswal to see if he can convert his current dominance into an even larger score, potentially leading India towards a comprehensive 2-0 series victory.