KL Rahul dedicated his Ahmedabad Test hundred to daughter Evaarah, while Dhruv Jurel marked his maiden ton with a heartfelt army salute to his Kargil veteran father. Alongside Jadeja’s unbeaten century, India dominated West Indies with a 286-run lead.
Ahmedabad witnessed a special day of Test cricket on Friday as India’s batting order displayed its depth and dominance in the opening Test against the West Indies at the Narendra Modi Stadium. The second day of the match will be remembered not only for the runs on the board but also for the deeply personal celebrations that added emotional layers to the contest.
At the heart of it was India opener KL Rahul, who returned to the top of the order in commanding fashion. Rahul struck a majestic century, marking his first home hundred after a long gap, and chose to dedicate the special moment to his daughter, Evaarah. The elegant right-hander raised his bat with a gesture that carried profound meaning for his young family. Rahul and his wife, actress Athiya Shetty, welcomed their daughter on March 24 this year, and the milestone innings was infused with the joy of fatherhood.
“It was for my daughter,” Rahul said at stumps, confirming the emotion behind his celebration.
Back after a successful tour of England, Rahul admitted he had felt more pressure in his preparatory game against Australia A than against the Caribbean side. “I was a bit nervous there because I hadn’t played for 5–6 weeks. To get back into rhythm and spend time in the middle was a challenge physically,” he reflected. He also noted the testing nature of the Ahmedabad conditions but credited the hard work of regaining his rhythm.
Rahul’s hundred not only symbolized personal joy but also underlined his growing stature as a consistent Test batter. With this innings, he has now accumulated 632 runs in six Tests during the ongoing World Test Championship (2025–27) cycle, reaffirming his place as one of India’s most reliable top-order anchors.
Dhruv Jurel’s Maiden Hundred: A Tribute to a Kargil War Veteran
If Rahul’s celebration was emotional, Dhruv Jurel’s maiden Test hundred was nothing short of iconic. Walking in at No. 5 in the absence of the injured Rishabh Pant, the 25-year-old wicketkeeper-batter from Agra displayed grit and grace to reach his century against a tiring West Indies attack.
But it was his celebration that stole hearts. Upon reaching the landmark off 190 balls, Jurel paid homage to his father, Nem Chand, a retired Indian Army Havildar and a veteran of the Kargil War. The young cricketer mimicked an army drill march with his bat, a salute that carried immense emotional weight and pride.
Jurel’s 125 off 210 balls included 12 boundaries and two sixes, and his partnership with Ravindra Jadeja proved pivotal in tilting the match decisively in India’s favor. The duo added 206 runs for the fifth wicket, grinding down the West Indies bowlers with patient resilience before shifting gears to accelerate.
Jurel’s technique stood out—playing late, using soft hands, and showing equal comfort both against pace and spin. Once set, he switched seamlessly into an attacking mode, dismantling debutant Khary Pierre with a flurry of strokes that showcased his growing confidence. His innings eventually ended with a nick behind, but by then, he had secured not only India’s dominance but also his own place in the hearts of cricket fans.
Jadeja’s Steadfast Ton
While Rahul and Jurel grabbed the spotlight with their emotional celebrations, Ravindra Jadeja was his usual dependable self, scoring an unbeaten 104. His composed approach anchored India’s innings deeper into the day, ensuring the hosts continued to build pressure on the visitors. By stumps, India had powered their way to 448/5 in 128 overs, establishing a commanding lead of 286 runs.
The final session highlighted India’s batting riches, with Jadeja and Washington Sundar (9*) pushing the score further as the West Indies bowlers toiled. The visitors’ attack, spearheaded by Roston Chase, Khary Pierre, and Jomel Warrican, struggled to break partnerships or control the flow of runs.
India in Complete Control
Day Two of the Ahmedabad Test will go down as a showcase of not just skill but sentiment. Rahul’s heartfelt tribute to his daughter and Jurel’s powerful salute to his father turned their centuries into moments larger than the scoreboard.
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With centuries from Rahul, Jurel, and Jadeja, India now holds all the cards, leading by a massive 286 runs with plenty of batting still to come. For the West Indies, it will require something extraordinary to claw back into the contest. For India, however, the day reaffirmed their batting strength and offered fans memories of celebrations that transcended cricket itself.
