West Indies face the grim prospect of defeat against a dominant India in Ahmedabad

India put a hapless West Indian attack to the sword with a dominant display of test match cricket on the second day at Ahmedabad. At 448/5, the hosts lead by 286 runs, with the visitors appearing powerless against a procession of centuries from KL Rahul (100), Dhruv Jurel (125), and Ravindra Jadeja (104*).

India's batting exhibition on Friday reflects the vast chasm between the quality of the two teams. Rahul's emotional breakthrough, ending a nine-year wait for a home Test century, came through 190 balls of disciplined accumulation. His dismissal shortly after lunch merely triggered the next phase of West Indies' torment, as Jurel's maiden Test hundred (125 off 210 balls) combined with Jadeja's masterclass (104 off 168 balls) in a potentially decisive 206-run partnership.

The bowlers took plenty of punishment. Rahul wielded his bat like a teacher yielding to a guidebook, teasing a dozen boundaries from his bewildered pupil. Jurel used the crease and his wrists to produce a range of strokes for his 15 fours and three sixes. Jadeja was explosive when he wanted to be, striking five sixes in an innings that threatens to put the game beyond the Windies. The Indian batters displayed equal measures of patience and calculated risk-taking to dent the confidence of the bowlers.

While India's batters dominated, Jayden Seales emerged as the lone bright spot in West Indies' otherwise dismal bowling performance. The 23-year-old paceman, who dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal (36) on Day One with a perfectly angled delivery that induced an edge to the keeper, continued his disciplined approach throughout India's innings.

This must feel like a baptism by fire for debutants Johann Layne, wicketless so far, and Khary Pierre, who finally managed to have Jurel prod outside the off stump for Shai Hope to collect the catch. Like Pierre, Jomel Warrican also plodded along for 29 overs for the lone wicket of Rahul. His dismissal of Rahul through an injudicious drive merely provided temporary respite in an otherwise toothless performance.

The seamers, Layne and Justin Greaves, offered little support to Seales, with nothing to show for their 27 overs. Their inability to build any pressure from either end allowed India's batters to settle into their rhythm and dictate terms. The absence of bowling depth, exposed by injuries to Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph, leaves Seales virtually alone to carry the fast bowling burden.

Dhruv Jurel - Photo by R.SATISH BABU/AFP via Getty Images