NEW DELHI: Shubman Gill’s 10th Test century set the tone as India marched towards another commanding win in the second Test against West Indies in Delhi on Saturday. While the batter shone with a fluent 129 not out in the post-lunch session, the captain ensured the focus remained on the team’s dominance rather than personal milestones.

Shubman Gill rewrites record books with 10th Test century

India declared their innings at 518/5, just an hour after lunch, allowing strike bowler Ravindra Jadeja ample time to tighten the screws on the visitors. What stood out was the seamless coordination between ‘Gill the batter’ and ‘Gill the skipper’ – the captain controlled the tempo, ensuring the pursuit of personal glory never overshadowed India’s overarching strategy.

Even though the pitch showed little wear, Ravindra Jadeja (3/37) worked his magic alongside Kuldeep Yadav (1/45), restricting West Indies to 140 for four in 43 overs.

Watching from the stands, legends Viv Richards and Brian Lara would have been far from entertained by the struggles of some of the Caribbean batters.

John Campbell, meanwhile, would count himself extremely unlucky. His aggressive sweep, which looked destined for the boundary, struck Sai Sudharsan’s knuckle and became lodged as he tried to evade the ball, leading to a bizarre dismissal.

But Tagenarine Chanderpaul (34) and Alick Athanaze (41) added 66 runs before Jadeja and Kuldeep struck in quick succession.

Sai Sudharsan takes an unbelievable reflex catch to dismiss John Campbell

Chanderpaul perished while trying to open the face of the bat as he dabbed one down to third man and was caught in slips by KL Rahul.

Athanaze played a forgettable hoick when Kuldeep baited him and the lob was taken by Jadeja at mid-wicket.

Skipper Roston Chase (0) offered a tame return catch to Jadeja and it was a tale of familiar collapse.

The second day was all about trying to make a sense of Gill, who is starting to be impressive with each passing day.

The skipper, who faced 196 deliveries, hit 16 boundaries and two sixes, added 91 for the fourth wicket with Nitish Kumar Reddy (43) and 102 for the fifth wicket with Dhruv Jurel (44), who decided to up the ante. after lunch.

India on the second day batted for 44.2 overs and added 200 runs to the overnight score of 318 for two.

Gill’s century came with a cut shot off Khary Pierre that got him three runs. With his fifth century in last seven Tests apart from a half-century in the previous game, the skipper showed that the batter in him hasn’t exactly been affected.

Even as Yashasvi Jaiswal (175, 258 balls) was unfortunately run-out at the start of the day, Gill’s concentration didn’t waver as he controlled the tempo of the game as per his will.

When the field was brought up, he would hit over the top. If the West Indies skipper Chase packed the off-side field, Gill inevitably played on the on-side.

Once a flurry of boundaries were hit, Chase was forced to keep a deep point and a deep square leg to cut down on boundaries. That helped him use the wide gaps to take those singles and doubles.

The best shot of the morning session and that too by a distance was the one that brought up Gill’s second fifty of the series.

With a packed off-side field, Jayden Seales bowled on middle-leg with Gill flicking it through the vacant mid-wicket region. When Justin Greaves was brought into the attack, his lack of pace allowed Gill to step out and loft him over mid-wicket for his first six.

Gill, who had decided to defend during the final hour of the opening day, came out with a different mindset. It only helped that Anderson Phillip sprayed all over and was hit for a flurry of boundaries. A delivery on the pads was quickly dispatched behind square on the leg-side.

In his next over, Phillip was cut square of the wicket — one a bit late behind square and the other in-front with same intent that produced same result. There was an on-drive and when the keeper was brought up to the stumps with ‘7-2’ off-side field, he stepped out and hit over extra cover.

The only possible mode of dismissal for Jaiswal (175) seemed to be a run-out, and Gill could be held partly responsible as it was Jaiswal’s call after he had pushed the ball slightly to the right of mid-off.

By stumps on the second day though, Gill had more than made amends for his mistake in the morning.

(With PTI Inputs)