DELHI, India (CMC):
Yashasvi Jaiswal struck a masterful, unbeaten century while Sai Sudharsan fell just short of three figures, as India completely dominated proceedings against the West Indies on the opening day of the second Test here yesterday.
Jaiswal, who finished on 173 not out, will be eyeing a third double century, while Sudharsan who made 87, propelled the home side to 318 for two to put themselves in a perfect position to post a formidable first-innings total.
It was another tough day in the field for the West Indies, with only left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican reaping any success.
India were given a solid start by Jaiswal and KL Rahul, with the opening pair putting on 58 runs for the first wicket.
Rahul struck the first boundary of the day when he guided pacer Anderson Phillip to fine leg for four in the fourth over and followed it up with consecutive boundaries through cover point and midwicket off Jayden Seales.
Despite the boundaries, the batsmen were made to work hard for their runs early on in the face of some disciplined bowling that saw them muster just 29 runs from the first 12 overs.
But Jaiswal and Rahul broke the shackles by picking up boundaries off medium pacer Justin Greaves, before the latter charged left-arm spinner Khary Pierre and launched him over long on for six.
However, West Indies got the much-needed breakthrough when Rahul attempted the same shot against Warrican in the ensuing over, but was beaten by sharp turn as he advanced down the track to be stumped by wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach for 38.
His demise brought Sudharsan to the crease, and he began his innings by hitting a full toss from Warrican through midwicket for four to get off the mark.
What followed after was a 193-run stand for the second wicket that beat the West Indies into submission and totally transformed the complexion of the match.
Together, they kept the runs ticking over with regular boundaries and smart running between the wickets to take India to lunch at 98 for one, with Jaiswal unbeaten on 40 and Sudharsan 18.
Jaiswal then rushed to his 50 by hitting Seales for three fours in the first over after the break.
As the partnership began to flourish, West Indies skipper Roston Chase tried all six bowlers at his disposal in an effort to snare a wicket, to no avail.
The pair took India past the 150 mark and shortly after, Sudharsan reached his second Test half-century by driving Pierre through cover for another boundary.
Meanwhile, Jaiswal continued to dominate the bowling and he marched into his 90s by smashing Phillip for two boundaries.
He then brought up his seventh Test century by whipping Pierre through square leg for two runs and celebrated by making a heart sign with his two hands and blowing kisses.
West Indies then spurned an easy opportunity to get rid of Sudharsan, but Warrican floored a catch at short midwicket off the bowling of Greaves with the score on 198 for one and the batter on 58.
That let-off allowed India to reach the tea break comfortably placed at 220 for one.
After the resumption, Sudharsan continued to bat positively and looked set to score his maiden century until he was beaten by a delivery from Warrican that turned sharply and trapped him in his crease to be out leg before wicket to make the score 251 for two.
Sudharsan faced 165 balls and struck 12 fours in his innings.
But the day belonged to Jaiswal, who reached 150 with a single behind square off Pierre, and shared an unbroken partnership of 67 with his captain Shubman Gill, who is unbeaten on 20.
Jaiswal has so far faced 253 balls and hit 22 fours in his unbeaten knock.
Warrican ended the day with 2-60 from his 30 overs for the West Indies.
