India vs West Indies 2nd Test, 2025: Jaiswal’s Heroics Pile Pressure on Visitors at Delhi
The second Test match between India and West Indies at the iconic Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi, saw an exhibition of batting dominance by the hosts, spearheaded by Yashasvi Jaiswal. The match, held on a dry, black-soil track renowned for aiding batters, quickly tilted in favor of an Indian team that was both confident and relentless after their decisive win in the first Test.
Setting the Scene: India’s Continuity, Windies’ Uncertainty
The series backdrop featured contrasting moods. India, buoyant after a comprehensive innings victory in Ahmedabad, played an unchanged XI, sticking to a winning blueprint. Shubman Gill retained Nitish Kumar Reddy for his seam-bowling utility, while Sai Sudharsan was given another go at No. 3 despite recent low scores.
West Indies, once legendary in the Test circuit, arrived at Delhi with uncertainty and diminished aura. The visitors had legendary cricket figures—Viv Richards, Brian Lara, and Richie Richardson—mentoring them, but the lack of direction and belief loomed large after a heavy loss in the first Test.
Day 1: Jaiswal’s Magnum Opus, Sudharsan’s Redemption
Shubman Gill’s toss luck finally turned and India chose to bat first. The decision paid off handsomely:
KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal gave India a disciplined start, Rahul scoring 38 in a 58-run opening stand before being stumped off Jomel Warrican.
Sai Sudharsan, under pressure to perform, partnered with Jaiswal for a mammoth 193-run stand. Sudharsan showcased flair, grit, and concentration, compiling his best Test score (87) before a sharp Warrican ball ended his innings.
Jaiswal then shifted gears, mixing caution with sparkling boundaries. Smashing 22 fours in 253 balls, he ended unbeaten on 173 at stumps—his seventh Test century and fifth of 150-plus, less than 24 years old—a feat matched only by Sachin Tendulkar for India.
The Indian innings closed on 318/2 after 90 overs, with the pitch showing little for the West Indies bowlers apart from the occasional sharp turn.
Scorecard Day 1:
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KL Rahul | 38 | 65 | 6 | 0 | Stumped b Warrican |
| Y Jaiswal | 173* | 253 | 22 | 0 | Not out |
| S Sudharsan | 87 | 161 | 13 | 0 | Bowled b Warrican |
| S Gill | 20* | 68 | 1 | 0 | Not out |
| Extras | |||||
| Total | 318/2 | 90 ov |
West Indies’ Bowling: Brief Spark, Long Slog
Jomel Warrican starred with two wickets—KL Rahul stumped by a magical turner and Sudharsan bowled by a peach. However, the rest of the attack struggled for penetration. Anderson Phillip, Jayden Seales, and Roston Chase bowled dry spells but lacked venom, and only rare chances tested the batters.
West Indies burned DRS reviews and dropped a vital catch off Sudharsan at 58—moments that summed up their fielding woes.
Match Atmosphere: Drama and Moments
Gill and wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach collided awkwardly during a single, with both players shaken but resuming play after brief treatment.
India’s approach was measured, with Sudharsan and Jaiswal cautious against the second new ball and boosting the run rate when the bowlers tired.
Strategic Analysis: Tactics, Temperament, Turning Points
Jaiswal’s Mental Fortitude: After falling for 36 in the previous match, Jaiswal’s ability to reset, adapt, and dominate was a study in mental strength and technical excellence. His control against spin and subtle shifts in tempo anchored the entire innings.
Sudharsan’s Recovery: Criticized for a run of low scores, Sudharsan repaid the faith of Gill, playing through nerves and offering crucial stability at No. 3.
West Indies’ Lack of Penetration: Despite bowling disciplined lengths for stretches, the lack of express pace and sustained pressure allowed India’s batters to settle, and fielding lapses compounded those struggles.
Indian Batting Depth: With Gill and a strong lower order to follow, India looked set to pile on a huge total, setting the stage for spinners to dictate terms later in the match.
Quotes and Reactions
India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak praised Jaiswal’s “determination and shot selection,” lauding his preparation and maturity.
West Indies assistant coach Floyd Reifer admitted it was a tough day, highlighting the need for discipline and resilience from his bowlers.
Sudharsan, reflecting on his own knock, said, “It felt good to get runs alongside Jaiswal. We kept our focus and took it session by session. The dressing room support was crucial.”
Series Implications
With a commanding performance at home, India strengthened their position not only in the series but also in the World Test Championship table. Each run put up by Jaiswal and company reinforced the vast gap between the two sides:
West Indies, struggling for form and confidence, must quickly regroup and find inspiration from storied legends now in mentoring roles.
India, with a relentless attack and supreme batting depth, appear unstoppable, with the possibility of a three-day finish not entirely far-fetched.
Milestones and Records Watch
Jaiswal became the youngest Indian to score seven Test centuries before turning 24, joining Sachin Tendulkar in a rare club.
The 193-run partnership between Jaiswal and Sudharsan ranked among the highest for India at home against West Indies.
What Next? Forecast for Remaining Match Days
India will likely bat deep into Day 2, with Jaiswal eyeing a double-century and Gill looking to build a long stay.
The middle and lower order—Jadeja, Jurel, Axar Patel—add depth and firepower, potentially pushing the hosts towards 500-plus.
West Indies need breakthroughs, sharp fielding, and a turnaround in attitude to avoid another innings defeat.
Final Thoughts
The Delhi Test, so far, has been a showcase of Indian supremacy and West Indies’ search for identity and purpose. Jaiswal’s batting provided inspiration for young batters everywhere; Sudharsan’s recovery highlighted India’s selection consistency and dressing room backing. Despite fleeting bowling highlights and flashes of Caribbean athleticism, the gulf in class was evident.
For India, the match is about consolidating their World Test Championship position, giving young talents confidence, and setting benchmarks for future tours. For West Indies, it’s another chapter in a long journey towards revival, demanding courage and tactical evolution.
As Day 2 dawns, fans await whether India can capitalize and bowl out the visitors twice, or if West Indies can summon the ghosts of past greatness for a resilient fightback at Delhi’s imposing cricket citadel.