IND vs WI Live Score, 2nd Test Day 1: Sudharsan and Jaiswal Join Forces After Rahul Wicket, See India Through to Lunch

India and West Indies resumed their red-ball rivalry in the second Test at the Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain, with the visitors looking to build on their dominant performance from the first match. After winning the toss, Indian skipper Shubman Gill once again opted to bat first, trusting his young and confident top order to set the tone. Despite an early setback in the form of KL Rahul’s dismissal, debutant Sai Sudharsan and Yashasvi Jaiswal combined to steady the innings, guiding India to a solid position by lunch on Day

The morning began with overcast skies and a gentle breeze that encouraged the West Indian pacers. Jayden Seales and Alzarri Joseph took the new ball, testing both Indian openers with swing and bounce. KL Rahul, returning to the Test setup after missing the last series, looked composed at the start but struggled against deliveries moving away late. His hesitation outside the off-stump eventually cost him his wicket, nicking one to Joshua Da Silva behind the stumps for 19.

At 34 for 1, the West Indies sensed an opportunity to press further, but that’s when the young pair of Jaiswal and Sudharsan rose to the occasion. Jaiswal, who has been in sublime form since his debut, looked unfazed by the early pressure. His elegant drives and confident footwork reminded everyone why he is seen as the future of Indian batting. Sudharsan, meanwhile, played the perfect anchor role. Making his second Test appearance, the Tamil Nadu left-hander showed maturity beyond his years, defending with soft hands and rotating the strike with ease.

The duo combined for an unbroken partnership that frustrated the West Indian bowlers. While Jaiswal took charge against the spinners, stepping down the track to loft Gudakesh Motie over mid-on, Sudharsan displayed immense patience, picking up singles and punishing anything short. Their contrasting styles blended beautifully — aggression from one end and stability from the other.

By the end of the first session, India had moved to 102 for 1, a position of strength considering the early movement on offer. Jaiswal remained unbeaten on 54, bringing up another half-century in style with a crisp boundary through covers. Sudharsan, on the other hand, was solid on 27 not out, playing a textbook innings that kept the scoreboard ticking.

For the hosts, the session was one of missed chances. Seales bowled with good rhythm but lacked consistent support. Joseph generated pace but struggled with control, while Jason Holder’s experience was unable to extract much assistance from the surface. Motie, the lone spinner, was introduced early, yet India’s left-handed duo negotiated him smartly, using their feet to disturb his lengths.

The pitch, though fresh, appeared slow underneath, which made stroke play difficult early on. However, as the session progressed, the ball softened, allowing batters to settle in. The outfield remained quick, rewarding well-timed shots, and India capitalized on every loose delivery.

India’s strategy clearly revolves around building partnerships and wearing down the Caribbean attack before unleashing their middle order. With Gill and Shreyas Iyer still to come, followed by the reliable Axar Patel and explosive Rishabh Pant, India look poised for another commanding total if the foundation remains firm.

For the West Indies, the key after lunch will be to strike early and break this developing partnership. Captain Kraigg Brathwaite might turn to Holder’s seam variations and Motie’s spin in tandem to find a breakthrough.

As the teams walked off for lunch, it was India who held the upper hand — one wicket down, two young left-handers in control, and the scoreboard reflecting confidence and composure. The post-lunch session promises more gripping action as Sudharsan eyes his maiden Test fifty and Jaiswal looks to convert his start into something substantial.