The second Test between India and the West Indies in Delhi began under perfect batting conditions. India won the toss and chose to bat first on a batting surface. The opening exchanges looked promising. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan batted with calm assurance and full control. Yet, amid India’s strong display, KL Rahul’s short stay at the crease left room for reflection. Former batting coach Sanjay Bangar spoke on Star Sports about Rahul’s innings. His words carried a sense of familiarity and concern.
Bangar said Rahul began fluently. He let the ball come to him and timed his strokes off the back foot with ease. The early boundaries showed his rhythm and confidence. For a while, he looked set for a big score. However, as the innings went on, restlessness crept in.
Bangar noticed a change in Rahul’s technique. He started using the bottom hand more often. That small shift broke his control, especially on the straight and lofted drives. Finally, Rahul failed to reach the pitch of a Jomel Warrican delivery. Tevin Imlach reacted quickly and stumped him for 38.
Bangar said Rahul would feel very disappointed. He knew Rahul had the chance to turn that start into a big score. He believed Rahul’s dismissal came more from a distracted mind than from any technical issue. It showed how even experienced players can lose focus when pressure builds.
"The way he batted at the start was typical KL Rahul, where he was allowing the ball to come to him. He is a batter who doesn't try to go onto the front foot much. He plays very well on the back foot, and that's why a lot of runs come in the square leg and fine leg region against the new ball. He played a few excellent shots off the back foot," stated Bangar during a discussion on Star Sports.
"We saw him using the bottom hand a little. The bottom hand didn't look good on the straight drive and the lofted on-drive, and I was feeling that something was wrong, because generally KL Rahul's aerial shots go towards the sight screen. When he thinks about his dismissal in the dressing room, he will curse himself a lot because something was wrong, due to which he couldn't convert this score into a big score," he added.
India Command as Jaiswal and Sudharsan Shine Bright
As the day moved forward, India’s position grew stronger. Jaiswal stood firm and batted through to stumps. He remained unbeaten on 173 from 253 balls. The Indian opener's knock showed patience, control, and fine shot selection. Sudharsan, batting at number three, matched his discipline. He scored a smooth 87 from 165 deliveries before Warrican trapped him lbw. Their 193-run stand steadied India after an early wicket. It set the tone for a long and confident innings.
At the other end, Shubman Gill stayed 20 not out and watched Jaiswal dominate. West Indies found little success apart from Warrican. He took both wickets for 60 runs in 20 overs. India ended Day 1 at 318 for 2. The score showed complete control and composure.
Rahul’s short innings remained the only blemish on an otherwise perfect day. In a line-up where Jaiswal and Sudharsan showed how to build an innings with clarity and patience, Rahul’s dismissal stood out for its suddenness. His innings might remind him and the viewers that a good start means nothing without a steady finish.
