India has rewritten history in Test cricket by becoming the first team in 65 years to record 50-plus run partnerships for each of the first five wickets in a single innings against the West Indies. The rare achievement came during the ongoing Test match where India declared their innings at an imposing total of 518 for 5.
The record was last seen in 1960, and India’s balanced batting display has now revived that milestone in dominant fashion. Centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill set the foundation, while solid contributions from Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Rishabh Pant ensured that every top-order pairing crossed the 50-run mark.
A Dominant Start from the Openers India’s
India’s openers began with confidence as captain Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal put up a 92-run stand for the first wicket. Rohit played with patience before falling short of a half century, while Jaiswal continued his fine form from the previous match. His aggressive stroke play and ability to counter the West Indies pacers gave India early control of the innings.
Jaiswal’s hundred was the highlight of the opening day. He reached his century in just 144 balls, mixing fluent drives with powerful pulls, and was eventually dismissed for 142. His innings helped India move past 200 comfortably.
Gill and Kohli Keep the Momentum Going in India
Shubman Gill, batting at number three, built on the strong start and formed another vital stand of 106 runs with Kohli. Gill reached his century with a stylish cover drive, bringing back memories of his match-winning knocks from earlier tours. Kohli, meanwhile, continued to look in touch with a fluent 67 before being caught behind off Jason Holder.
Their partnership ensured that India maintained a strong scoring rate even as the West Indies tried to slow things down with spin.
Middle Order Consolidation
After Kohli’s dismissal, Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer carried the momentum forward. Pant played freely, scoring a brisk 58, while Iyer rotated strike efficiently to build pressure on the bowlers. The pair added 84 runs for the fifth wicket before India declared the innings late in the day at 518 for 5.
This combination of partnerships reflected the team’s depth and patience across sessions. Each batter played a specific role, and the batting order functioned seamlessly from start to finish.
A Record in Context for India
India’s achievement marks the first instance since 1960 that a team has managed fifty-run partnerships for each of the first five wickets in a Test innings. The last time it happened was during England’s tour of the West Indies, when the visiting side produced similar consistency across the top order.
For India, this record highlights their current dominance in Test cricket, particularly away from home. The top order has displayed remarkable balance between attack and defense, a key factor in their recent string of overseas successes.
Strong position of Indian players in the series
The 518 for 5 declaration gave India a commanding position in the match and strengthened their series lead. West Indies bowlers, despite early breakthroughs, struggled to maintain pressure across the long partnerships. With India’s bowlers in form, the home side faces an uphill task to save the Test.
The Indian camp celebrated the achievement as a reflection of the team’s discipline and planning. Head coach Rahul Dravid praised the top order’s composure and said that such partnerships were the “backbone of long-format dominance.”
As the series progresses, this record-setting performance has set the tone for India’s ambitions in Test cricket, showcasing both consistency and class from one of the strongest batting lineups in the world.