India Declare Early on Day 3 Against West Indies
India declared their first innings at 448 for 5, carrying a 286-run advantage against the West Indies at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday. The declaration came early on day three to exploit possible movement on a fresh morning pitch.
The innings belonged to KL Rahul (100), Dhruv Jurel (125), and Ravindra Jadeja (104 not out) — each bringing a different flavour to India’s dominance. “KL Rahul’s 11th hundred grounded the West Indies before Dhruv Jurel and Ravindra Jadeja followed the suit with stylish tons,” with India virtually batting the visitors out of the opening Test.
Rahul’s celebration was for his newborn daughter, Jurel’s gun salute paid tribute to the Indian Army, while Jadeja’s sword celebration added his signature flair. The West Indies bowlers looked out of ideas, and the fielding lacked sharpness, allowing India to tighten their hold further.
India’s Trio of Tons and Record Stand
Rahul ended a nine-year wait for a home hundred — his first since the Chennai Test in December 2016 — scoring his 11th career century with patience and elegance. His stand with Shubman Gill for the third wicket added 98 runs before both fell to Roston Chase (2/90). Gill’s composed 50 included five boundaries, while Rahul’s innings ended post-lunch with a sharp low catch by Justin Greaves.
Jurel then took charge, building momentum alongside Jadeja. The pair added 206 runs for the fifth wicket, falling just eight short of India’s record fifth-wicket partnership against West Indies (214 by VVS Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar in 2002). Jurel brought up his maiden Test ton in only his sixth match, hammering 15 fours and three sixes before edging Khary Pierre to the keeper for the debutant’s first Test scalp.
“Rahul brought an end to his century drought at home… while Jurel brought up his maiden Test century in only his sixth Test for India,” marking a day of milestones. Jadeja, in red-hot form, reached his sixth Test century, his seventh 50-plus score in his last six Tests, continuing a golden run that began during the England tour.
Jadeja’s Firepower and India’s Tactical Declaration
India’s innings, stretched across 128 overs at a rate of 3.50 runs per over, was a mix of discipline and flair. The batters struck 45 fours and eight sixes, with Jadeja clearing the ropes five times — all in similar fashion — to move past MS Dhoni for the most sixes by an Indian in Tests.
Jurel started the counterattack with the first six of the innings over midwicket soon after Rahul’s exit. Jadeja then took on Jomel Warrican with two consecutive sixes, forcing the bowlers on the backfoot. “With Warrican trying to exploit the rough patches… both Jurel and Jadeja thwarted the threats with perfection.”
India’s decision to declare overnight was strategic — to make use of early movement on a responsive surface. The home side will now look to push for quick wickets and extend their dominance with the ball, holding a commanding lead that puts the visitors under heavy pressure in the opening Test.
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