Press Trust of India
Kingston (Jamaica), July 31: Opener KL Rahul (107 batting, 12×4, 1×6) showed a lot of composure as he struck his third Test hundred with India sedately reaching 185 for one at lunch on the second day of the second cricket Test against the West Indies here, Sunday. India is trailing by a mere 11 runs after bowling out the hosts for just 196 in their first innings.
For Rahul, it was a case of making full use of the opportunity as it is his third Test ton in overseas conditions. He hit the only maximum of his innings so far to complete the coveted landmark.
In doing so, he notched up the highest score for an Indian opener playing his very first innings in the West Indies, beating Ajay Jadeja’s 97 (1996), Shikhar Dhawan’s 84 (2016) and Sunil Gavaskar’s 65 (1971).
He has added 98 runs so far for the second wicket with Cheteshwar Pujara (37 batting, 3×4), whose subdued batting has been the reason that India could manage only 59 runs in the session in the 26 overs bowled in the morning.
Starting at the overnight score of 126/1, the two batsmen looked to play for time, as there was still something in the pitch for the bowlers. However they didn’t have any help from the weather, as it was bright and sunny when play began, rendering this a good day to bat.
Even so, the West Indies’ pacers didn’t make things easy for the Indian batsmen. Shannon Gabriel (0-21) bowled an extended spell, as did Miguel Cummins (0-44) and the two bowled a nagging line to trouble the duo at the crease.
Gabriel, in particular, tested both Rahul and Pujara, thrice inducing edges as they fell short of the waiting cordon. On three other occasions, he beat the batsmen with his pace and bounce.
Earlier on day-1, Ravichandran Ashwin (5/52) continued his brilliant form by bagging a five-wicket haul as India bowled out West Indies for 196. In reply, India were 126/1 at stumps on day-1, with Rahul (75 batting) and Pujara (18 batting). Shikhar Dhawan (27, 5×4) was the only man to be dismissed by Roston Chase after an 87-run opening stand with Rahul.
Paceman Ishant Sharma (2/53) greased the wheels by picking up two early wickets with a devastating opening spell of seam bowling. The Windies, who won the toss and batted, lost their first three wickets for only seven runs. Mohammed Shami (2/23) and Amit Mishra (1/38) also bowled handy spells for the visitors.