Ahmedabad, Oct 3: KL Rahul ended a nine-year wait to score a Test century on Indian soil, while Shubman Gill marked his first home Test as captain with a composed fifty, steering India to 218 for 3 at the end of the morning session on Day 2 of the first India–West Indies Test at Narendra Modi Stadium.
Resuming at 121 for 2, India added 97 runs in a session defined by Rahul’s steady redemption and Gill’s assured leadership. Rahul, unbeaten on 100, built his innings stroke by stroke, celebrating his 11th Test hundred by removing his helmet, kissing the Indian badge, and acknowledging the crowd.
Gill, captain at just 26, contributed 50 off 100 balls, playing elegant shots including a square cut, flicks past mid-wicket, and cover drives, before being dismissed attempting a reverse sweep. Together, Rahul and Gill added 97 runs for the third wicket, consolidating India’s position in the match.
Debutant wicketkeeper-batsman Dhruv Jurel remained unbeaten on 14, adding promise to India’s top order as the team looked set to build a commanding first-innings total.
The partnership showcased patience, maturity, and leadership—the hallmarks of Test cricket. Rahul’s century reaffirmed his credentials after years of scrutiny and injury setbacks, while Gill’s composed fifty signaled stability at the top of the batting order for India.
By lunch, India had transformed cautious overnight progress into solid momentum, setting the stage for a potentially dominant innings against the West Indies. (Agencies)
