In pursuit of perfection: Jaiswal extends WI's agony on Day One

All the Indian batters had a shot control percentage of over 90 and that meant that visitors were always under the pump

- Ashish Magotra

Yashasvi Jaiswal celebrates his seventh Test century on Day 1 of the second Test against the West Indies in New Delhi.

(Sanchit Khanna/HT)

If you have ever been on the Delhi-Agra highway (or any of the newer highways for that matter), you have a pretty good idea what the first day of the second Test at the Feroz Shah Kotla was like. The journey was smooth but it wasn't exciting, nothing stood out, speed limits were maintained and eventually, the destination was reached.

Rarely, if ever, was a false shot played as India made 318/2 after 90 overs at close of play. At the crease were Yashasvi Jaiswal on 173 (253 balls) and Shubman Gill on 20 (68).

The day flowed along expected lines — India won the toss, chose to bat and then got stuck in. But it was the home side’s ruthless pursuit of perfection that took centrestage. All the India batters had a shot control percentage of over 90 and that speaks volumes about their intent.

The thing about a chance is that you need to get it. All the West Indies have been looking for since the tour of India began is a chance to show that they can be better; that they too can rise again but such has been the single-minded focus of the Indians that their wait shows no sign of ending.