On October 3, 2025, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the India cricket team smashed a 286‑run first‑innings lead over the West Indies after three centuries lit up the scoreboard. Leading the charge was KL Rahul, who notched his 11th Test hundred, while wicket‑keeper Dhruv Jurel celebrated a maiden century and all‑rounder Ravindra Jadeja remained unbeaten on 104. Their combined effort pushed India to 448/5 in 128 overs, leaving the visitors staring at a mountain‑high deficit.
Match overview: how the day unfolded
The West Indies were bowled out for a meek 162 in their first innings, a total that barely covered the opening partnership. Missing pacemen Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph due to injury, their attack looked more like a parade than a threat. India, by contrast, began their reply at 121/2, with Rahul already set at 45 and Jurel on 22.
Rahul’s innings was a textbook blend of patience and aggression. He milled 110 runs off 176 balls, peppered with 12 fours and a solitary six. When he fell, the scoreboard read 316/3, and the momentum had shifted irreversibly.
Jurel, on his sixth Test, struck 125 off 210 deliveries – a maiden century that felt like a tribute to the Indian Army, complete with a salute after every boundary. His knock featured 14 fours and three sixes, a calm yet decisive display that reminded fans of his 90‑run rescue effort against England in Ranchi, 2024.
Jadeja’s unbeaten 104 came in a flurry: five fours, five sixes, and a swaggering sword‑style celebration that set the crowd alight. The all‑rounder’s seventh fifty‑plus score of the year pushed his Test wicket tally to 330, placing him fifth on India’s all‑time list.
The partnership between Jurel and Jadeja was the day’s headline act – 206 runs for the fifth wicket, a stand that stretched from the 108th over to the 126th, taking the total beyond the 400‑run mark for the first time in the innings.
Centuries in detail: the men behind the runs
KL Rahul – The Karnataka‑born batsman reached his 11th Test hundred with an elegant cover drive that seemed to argue, "I’ve been waiting for this at home for too long." He later said, "Celebrating for my baby girl makes this extra special; it’s a reminder of why we play."
Dhruv Jurel – The 24‑year‑old kept his composure despite the pressure of a maiden ton. After reaching the milestone he lifted his cap toward the stands, saying, "This one’s for the brave men in uniform who protect us every day." His knock was punctuated by a well‑timed six over mid‑wicket that sent the crowd into a roar.
Ravindra Jadeja – The Saurashtra all‑rounder, vice‑captain to Shubman Gill, was unapologetically aggressive. "When the ball comes in my zone, I attack," Jadeja told the media in the post‑session interview. His five sixes came mostly on the leg side, a reminder of why he is a prized asset in limited‑overs cricket as well.
Key partnerships and records
- Jurel‑Jadeja 206‑run stand: the highest fifth‑wicket partnership for India in a Test on home soil.
- Three centuries in a single innings – a feat last seen in India’s 2019 vs South Africa Test.
- Combined 45 boundaries and eight sixes – the most firepower India has displayed in a first innings since the 2021 series against England.
Khary Pierre, the 22‑year‑old West Indies spinner, claimed his maiden Test wicket by dismissing Jurel for 125. "It’s a dream to get a wicket at the world’s biggest stadium," Pierre whispered, still smiling despite the scoreboard.
West Indies response and challenges
The visitors’ bowlers struggled to extract bounce from the flat Ahmedabad pitch. Even the spinners, who found a smidge of turn, failed to trouble the set batsmen. Coach Gautam Gambhir admitted, "We lacked the spear‑head pacers. Without Alzarri, our attack was more about containment than penetration."
Batting-wise, the West Indies lineup collapsed early. The top order contributed just 58 runs, and the middle order could not rebuild. Their inability to adapt to the low‑bounce conditions hinted at a deeper issue: a lack of experience in sub‑continental venues.
Implications for the series and what’s next
India is poised to declare at 448/5 on Day 3, setting a target that will likely seal a 2‑0 series win. The massive lead forces the West Indies into a follow‑on, and with their bowling depleted, a swift innings defeat looks probable.
Former India captain Rahul Dravid praised the batting depth, noting, "When three men cross the hundred mark in a single innings, it tells you the team is in a comfortable zone. The real test will be how they bowl out the opposition in the fourth innings."
Shubman Gill, the current captain, will have to decide whether to enforce the follow‑on or give his bowlers a rest. Either way, the momentum is firmly with India, and the home crowd at the staggering 132,000‑seat stadium will be expecting a clean sweep.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does India’s 286‑run lead affect the West Indies’ chances of winning the series?
A lead of that magnitude puts the visitors under immense pressure. They must either bat for an exceptionally long time in the second innings or hope for a dramatic collapse of the Indian bowlers – both scenarios are unlikely given India’s disciplined attack and the flat Ahmedabad pitch.
What were the key factors behind the West Indies’ low first‑innings total?
Missing their spear‑head pacers Alzarri and Shamar Joseph left the attack toothless. Combined with a batting line‑up that struggled against the low‑bounce, spin‑friendly surface, the team could not build partnerships, resulting in a 162 all‑out.
Who contributed the most in India’s record partnership?
Both Dhruv Jurel (125) and Ravindra Jadeja (104*) were instrumental. Jurel anchored the innings with measured aggression, while Jadeja accelerated the scoring rate, especially with five sixes, turning the partnership into a match‑defining stand.
What does this performance mean for India’s Test rankings?
A dominant win at home bolsters India’s points in the ICC Test rankings, potentially moving them closer to the top spot. The heavy defeat for West Indies could see them slip a few places, widening the gap between the two sides.
When is the next Test match scheduled and what should fans expect?
The third Test begins on October 12, 2025, at the same venue. Expect India to field an aggressive bowling line‑up aiming for a quick victory, while the West Indies will need to regroup and possibly alter their batting order to survive the follow‑on.
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