It was Yashasvi Jaiswal's moment in the sun on Thursday, July 14, when he completed an impressive century in his Test debut against West Indies on Day 2 of the first Test in Roseau, Dominica. This was followed by a brilliant century for skipper Rohit Sharma as well, as the Indian openers put up a partnership of 229 runs for the opening wicket.
On Day 1 of the game, India had restricted the home team to just 150 runs, and in response, Indian openers captain Rohit Sharma and debutant Yashasvi Jaiswal stitched an unbeaten 80-run partnership before stumps of Day 1. Before Lunch, the duo reached their half-centuries, Jaiswal's first and the skipper's 15th half-century in Test cricket.
The two Windies spinners offspinner Rakheem Cornwall (0/22 in 11 overs) and left-arm orthodox Jomel Warrican (0/34 in 14 overs) bowled tight lines but could not get them with their wicket-taking deliveries. The lack of pace off the track also made it easier for Indian openers to defend.
Jaiswal, who started the day at 40, reached his half-century with his first boundary of the night also a vindication of the team management's decision to promote him to the top on debut.
He continued the onslaught with the bat in the second session as well, and comfortably reached his ton off 215 runs. His knock has 11 boundaries. The old Dukes ball also didn't offer much reverse swing and Rohit's flick off Joseph to get a six over mid-wicket was the best shot of the morning.
He also rocked on the back foot and hit a square cut off Jomel Warrican and punched his full-toss through the covers after a quiet first hour.
With so much time left in the match, the Indians are rightly aiming to bat West Indies out of the game as it will get very difficult to bat in the third innings on a worn-out track.
Heading into the Tea Break, this opening duo have also become the first Indian opening pair to take first-innings lead in Tests.
Skipper Rohit Sharma also reached his second away century, and his third against the West Indies. Ironically, Rohit's first Test ton came against the same opponents, albeit in Kolkata then.
He took 221 balls to reach his century but immediately lost his wicket as Alick Athanaze bagged his first Test wicket to end their partnership of 229 runs. By then, the duo had already scripted history by accosting India's highest opening partnership outside Asia.
Shubman Gill's (6 off 10 balls) first game as No. 3 didn't start off well as he fell for a delivery similar to that of Rohit Sharma's wicket. By Stumps, Virat Kohli had settled in, with 36 runs in 96 balls, and Yashasvi Jaiswal on 143 runs off 350 balls.
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