IND Vs WI: Ravindra Jadeja Nearly Matches MS Dhoni’s 19-year-old Record With Brutal Assault Against Jomel Warrican In The 1st Test

The first Test between India and the West Indies in Ahmedabad has tilted heavily in the hosts’ favour, with Day 2 unfolding as a showcase of batting brilliance. India closed the day at a commanding 448/5, securing a mammoth 286-run lead that has virtually batted the West Indies out of the contest.

The day belonged to India’s triumvirate of run-makers — KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel, and Ravindra Jadeja — each stamping authority with centuries. While Rahul provided stability at the top and Jurel registered his maiden Test hundred with composure, Jadeja produced the headline-grabbing moment: an unbeaten 104 laced with five sixes against Jomel Warrican, a rare feat that propelled him into an elite bracket of Indian Test batting.

KL Rahul’s steady foundation

India began the day with overnight intent. KL Rahul, known for his elegance and adaptability, batted with characteristic patience, anchoring the innings while others played freely around him. His century was not just an addition to his personal tally but also a statement of reliability at the top of the order — a role India has often grappled with in the post-Sehwag era.

Rahul’s innings was built on crisp drives, clever rotation of strike, and controlled aggression. By the time he departed, he had already drained the West Indian bowlers, forcing them into defensive fields and defensive body language. His knock created the platform for India’s middle order to unleash the full array of strokes.

Dhruv Jurel’s maiden Test century: a coming-of-age story

If Rahul laid the bricks, Dhruv Jurel cemented them with a remarkable maiden Test century. The young wicketkeeper-batter, hailed for his composure in domestic cricket, announced himself on the grand stage with a performance that will be remembered for its maturity and flair.

Unlike many debutants who play within a shell, Jurel showed confidence beyond his years. His partnership with Jadeja was nothing short of game-breaking — rotating the strike, punishing loose deliveries, and frustrating the West Indian bowlers with impeccable shot selection.

What stood out was his fearlessness against pace and spin alike. Whether it was driving through the covers against Jason Holder or cutting Warrican late, Jurel looked in command. His century not only consolidated India’s dominance but also provided a glimpse of India’s next-gen batting strength.

Jadeja’s 104 not out: The defining innings of Day 2

Ravindra Jadeja, the man for all seasons, turned the Ahmedabad pitch into his personal stage. Known for his consistency with the ball and resilience with the bat, Jadeja once again proved why he is considered India’s most valuable Test all-rounder of the modern era.

Coming in after Jurel had set the tone, Jadeja shifted gears almost immediately. Where Rahul was measured and Jurel was composed, Jadeja was devastating. His unbeaten 104 came with an intent to dominate, particularly against the left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican.

The Warrican assault:

Jadeja smashed five sixes off Warrican, turning the bowler’s spell into a nightmare.
Each six wasn’t a desperate heave but a calculated strike, showing his tactical clarity.
By dismantling Warrican, Jadeja ensured that the West Indies lost their primary spin option, forcing their captain to over-rely on the seamers.

This six-hitting spree was the turning point of the day. It wasn’t just about runs, it was about psychological impact. The West Indies looked visibly deflated as Jadeja cleared the ropes at will.

Jadeja and Dhoni: A record revisited

Jadeja’s fireworks placed him on the cusp of a very rare Test batting milestone. His five sixes off Warrican now stand as the joint second-most sixes hit by an Indian batter against a single bowler in a Test innings.

The record remains with MS Dhoni, who in 2006 at St John’s, Antigua, launched a brutal counterattack against West Indian chinaman bowler Dave Mohammad. Dhoni struck six sixes in that knock, a 52-ball 69 that became part of his legend as a fearless power-hitter even in the longest format.

What makes Jadeja’s feat special is the context. While Dhoni’s assault was about counterattacking under pressure, Jadeja’s came from a position of strength but carried equal intent. It was less about survival and more about domination — the essence of modern Test cricket, where aggression dictates the tempo.

Statistical spotlight: Jadeja in elite company

Jadeja’s innings added another feather to his already illustrious cap:

Unbeaten 104 marked his third Test century.
Five sixes in an innings put him in the league of Indian six-hitters alongside Dhoni, Sehwag, and Rishabh Pant.
His strike rate in the innings (well above 80) highlighted his ability to adapt from a supporting role to a destructive finisher.

Moreover, his partnership with Dhruv Jurel — crossing the 150-run mark — was a study in contrasting styles: Jurel steady, Jadeja explosive. Together, they drained the West Indian attack of energy and ideas.

The West Indies’ struggles

For the West Indies, Day 2 was an uphill battle. After starting the match with promise, their bowlers looked increasingly ineffective as the Indian innings progressed.

Jomel Warrican, targeted mercilessly by Jadeja, finished the day bruised and ineffective.
The pace unit, including Jason Holder and Alzarri Joseph, lacked penetration on a flat surface.
Fielding lapses only compounded their woes, with missed opportunities allowing India to swell their lead.

By stumps, the West Indies were staring at not just a scoreboard deficit but a mental mountain to climb.

India’s commanding position

At 448/5 with Jadeja still unbeaten, India’s strategy heading into Day 3 seems clear: bat once, bat big, and bat the West Indies out of the game. With a lead of 286 already in hand, a declaration sometime on Day 3 looks likely, giving India enough time to bowl out the visitors twice.

The pitch in Ahmedabad has shown signs of assistance for spinners, and with Ashwin and Jadeja waiting to roll their arms, the West Indies will be tested thoroughly.

Historical parallels: Dhoni to Jadeja

Indian cricket has always cherished its six-hitting icons. From Kapil Dev’s carefree aggression to Sehwag’s fearless assaults, from Dhoni’s helicopter to Pant’s audacious strokes, sixes have symbolized India’s evolution in Test cricket.

Jadeja’s knock, coming nearly 19 years after Dhoni’s record in Antigua, ties past and present beautifully. Both players showcased the ability to turn Test cricket into a spectacle with sheer power, changing perceptions about the pace of the format.

A century of statement

Day 2 of the Ahmedabad Test was not just about runs, but about messages. Rahul reaffirmed his role as a senior opener. Jurel announced himself as a long-term wicketkeeper-batter. But Jadeja stole the limelight, reminding everyone that he is not just India’s utility man, but a genuine match-winner with bat and ball.

By coming close to Dhoni’s iconic record, Jadeja has written another golden chapter in his Test career. For the West Indies, it was a day to forget. For India, it was a day that underlined dominance. For cricket fans, it was a reminder that Test cricket, when played with intent, remains the most enthralling format of all.

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