West Indies v India 2nd Test, Day 2 - 5 Memorable Moments

If Day 1 had been a torrid time for the West Indies with the bat, Day 2 showcased a much better performance from the home side against a patient and a resolute India. In short, the commitment from the Windies was much better as they picked four of India’s top wickets and trimmed down the scoring options rather significantly.

However, Day 2 belonged to 24-year old makeshift Indian opener, KL Rahul, as he brought up his third century in Test cricket. Rahul aka ‘Batting machine’ brought up his ton with a six while there were useful contributions from skipper Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, and Cheteshwar Pujara. While there was many a memorable moment on Day 2 at Sabina Park, here are the top five moments of the day.

1. KL Rahul seals it with a six:

By reaching his third Test century, KL Rahul broke a few records. What is more interesting to witness is the fact that he does not have a Test match half-century to his name. Secondly, all of Rahul’s three centuries have come overseas. However, while all that is impressive, Rahul reached his ton by launching a maximum into the mid-wicket stand, something that prompted most people to compare him with recently retired batsman ‘Virender Sehwag’.

Rahul has scored tons in Sydney, Colombo, and now in Jamaica as well, meaning that he has not scored a century in home conditions as yet, something that is about to change very soon.

Also check out – Twitter Reactions: KL Rahul’s century helps India take a 162-run lead on Day 2

2. Shane Dowrich makes headway behind the stumps:

The first Test at Antigua saw young Shane Dowrich come on the brink of criticism for dropping what was deemed as a regulation catch. However, this Test at Sabina Park saw a new and reformed Shane Dowrich – one who threw himself around to complete catches he had absolutely no right to take. Of course, the oddball that swung excessively did indeed find its way to the fence. However, some of the glove work showcased by the youngster certainly went on to justify why he was picked ahead of 30-year old experienced campaigner Denesh Ramdin.

3. Gabriel unleashes ‘chin music’ on Indians:

In the past few matches, Shannon Gabriel has been the pick of the West Indian bowlers. Moreover, he has been the best by a country mile. Moreover, Gabriel’s ability to clock high speeds in excess of 90 mph is something that has seen Indian batsmen get troubled quite often on this tour.

With Joel Garner sitting in the dressing room, Gabriel unleashed a barrage of short-pitched deliveries on the Indian batsmen making them look at sea although some of them had been wielding the bat for a long time. It would have certainly been something that Joel Garner would have been proud of.

4. Kohli out to a rare ‘soft dismissal’:

Getting out to soft dismissals has been somewhat of a rarity in the illustrious cricketing book of Virat Kohli. Boasting of superhuman batsmanship as well as invincibility whilst batting, Kohli scored a brisk 44 until disaster struck, perhaps at the wrong moment during his batting innings. Trying to play down the wrong line from what seemed to be a short-pitched delivery from Roston Chase, Kohli attempted to play down the leg side. However, a leading edge from his bat found its way to Rajendra Chandrika positioned at silly point as he completed a low shin-height catch.

5. Pujara’s ‘Rush’ moment:

In his short Test career, Cheteshwar Pujara has often been accused of jumping the gun and having moments of madness courtesy of a rush of blood. Shortly after KL Rahul reached his century, Cheteshwar Pujara was out to yet another risky manner. Similar to the previous Test match, it was a rush of blood from Pujara that eventually saw him run out. This time around, it was Roston Chase whose aiming power fitted the bill perfectly as a direct hit dismissed Pujara.

Also check out – Twitter Reactions: Cheteshwar Pujara faces the ire of social media for his slow knock