IND vs ENG 2024: Yashasvi Jaiswal display his class against England's spin quartet
Having lost the first Test in Hyderabad, Team India were under pressure against England’s Bazballers. Injuries to Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul meant India’s XI was further weakened who were already missing Virat Kohli and Mohammed Shami.
Despite the forced changes, the Indian team management didn't compromise on their bowling combination as they played five bowlers, and it also implied their batting was less reliable. Having failed to chase 230 in the last game, the batting unit needed to do their job more responsibly this time.
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s steady start and acceleration get India going
Having won the toss, Rohit Sharma opted to bat first. But, India didn't get a very fluent start. The opening pair scored just 23 runs in the first 10 overs as James Anderson posed some challenges and Joe Root kept them under check. But Yashasvi didn't go restless.
Rohit Sharma, at a score of just 14, fell into Shoaib Bashir's trap of leg slip. Jaiswal then had a short partnership with Shubman Gill. On a flat pitch, India needed someone to play a long innings, and the situation was a bit tricky. But amidst all this, the 22-year-old Jaiswal displayed his understanding of the match situation.
Once he was set, Yashasvi didn't hesitate in playing big shots against the spinners, thanks to his improved power game coupled with his superb range against spin. He can play cut shots, sweeps, cover drives, and lofted shots down the ground against tweakers. The fearless batter is also equipped to use his feet and step down to disrupt the lines and lengths of spinners.
He managed England's spin quartet very well, scoring 192 runs at a strike rate of above 86. All but one of his 26 boundaries including 7 sixes came against spinners. The southpaw was off-side dominant against the off-spin duo of Joe Root and Shoaib Bashir, scoring over 65% runs in the region.
Only the 41-year-old James Anderson managed to trouble the Indian centurion. The right-arm pacer regularly induced false shots against Jaiswal. Yashasvi managed to score only 17 runs in 67 balls against Anderson including an edged boundary.
While he didn't throw his bat towards the ball, Jasiwal was consistently lured by the ball in the channel outside off. The youngster was lucky but it speaks more about Anderson's greatness and Test cricket in general. Eventually, the senior pacer scalped his wicket as Jaiswal lost his patience and attempted a big shot.
Thanks to Jaiswal’s double century, India have a good score on the board. He has set an example for other batters. Apart from Yashasvi, no Indian batter has managed to touch the 35-run mark.
“When they were bowling well, I just wanted to get through that spell. Initially, the wicket was damp and there was spin and bounce, with a bit of seam. However, I wanted to convert the loose balls, and play till the end.” said Jaiswal after completion of the first day.
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After the defeat in the first Test match, the Indian head coach Rahul Dravid, in the post-match press conference, pointed out that not scoring a big hundred in the first innings hurt the hosts.
Yashasvi Jaiswal was one of the three Indian batters who scored 80+ in the first innings but failed to convert it into a big score. Cometh the second Test, the opening batter has put the regrets of the previous match to an end and rose to the occasion.
Jaiswal’s prodigy has been identified since U-19 days. He stood tall for his side when others found it difficult. He took some time to adjust himself to the senior level but finally delivered in his fourth IPL season and made his international debut against West Indies in July last year.
On his debut, Yashasvi scored 171 off 387 balls to bag the ‘Player of the Match’ award and impressed captain Rohit Sharma with his temperament.
Jaiswal has transitioned himself into international cricket very smoothly. His excellent T20I record and promising start to his Test career bodes very well for him. The youngster has a stable base against pace, has a wide array of shots against pace and spin, and has the character to be India’s next all-format superstar.