IND Vs ENG Vizag Test: Yashasvi Jaiswal's Unbeaten 179 Power India Throw First Punch At England

IND vs ENG Vizag Test: The experience of a veteran batter was showcased by 22-year-old Yashasvi Jaiswal as composure and class were displayed on Day 1 of the 2nd Test against England in Visakhapatnam on Friday, February 02.

It appeared as if Yashasvi was the only batter in the Indian top 6 who learned from the mistake of India's sloppy defeat in the series opener in Hyderabad as a good start was capitalized on, resulting in a daddy hundred, reported India Today.

Three Things You Need To Know:

• India posted a score of 336 for 6 in 93 overs on Day 1 of the 2nd Test.
• Yashasvi Jaiswal, with an unbeaten 179, secured his 2nd Test hundred.
• England kept chipping away as several Indian batters failed to convert starts.

IND vs ENG Vizag Test

A nearly chanceless innings was played by Yashasvi Jaiswal as the day concluded with xxx off xxx balls, assisting India in delivering the much-needed first punch at England as the hosts headed to stumps at 336 for 6. England, utilizing veteran James Anderson and four spinners, bowled as many as 93 overs, maintaining an on-point over rate on a hot and humid opening day in Visakhapatnam.

IND v ENG, 2nd Test Day 1 highlights

As the side exhibiting more patience on a traditional spin-friendly pitch in Vizag, England kept chipping away. Yashasvi Jaiswal was the only one who applied himself and did not throw it away, while six other batters got into double digits before walking back to the pavilion. On Friday, Ben Stokes and England were content to play the waiting game, knowing that the nature of the pitch would not change much, at least for the first three days.

India had a golden opportunity to post a mammoth total and bat England out of the contest, but the numerous 20s and 30s might come back to haunt India in the end. The day was considered in favour of England by Kevin Pietersen, emphasizing the wasted opportunities from the Indian batters, reported India Today.

Yashasvi Learns From Hyderabad Mistake

High on confidence after a sensational win in Hyderabad in the series opener, England was made to work hard on Day 1 as the Indian innings were held together by Yashasvi Jaiswal on a good pitch for batters at the Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium.

With Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Ravindra Jadeja absent for the 2nd Test, India's inexperienced batting unit was under scrutiny. When Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bat on Friday morning, critics and fans were waiting to see the approach from the batters. It seemed as if India was stunned by England's 'Bazball' approach in the first Test, and they oscillated between aggression and tentativeness in Hyderabad a week ago.

However, a clear plan was evident when both Rohit Sharma and Yashavi Jaiswal walked out, telling the England bowlers that they were willing to be patient and not go after everything in the first session, as they did in Hyderabad, reported India Today.

Yashasvi Jaiswal's steely resolve to not throw it away like he did on 80 in the first innings was evident as caution was mixed with aggression wonderfully well to get his second 150-plus score in Test cricket. Playing only in his 6th Test, Yashasvi knew when to attack and when to respect the opposition bowlers, hitting 17 boundaries and 5 sixes.

Up on its feet, the Indian dressing room, led by head coach Rahul Dravid, applauded Yashasvi Jaiswal's 150 as the young batter demonstrated his ability to learn quickly. Notably, Rahul Dravid had pointed fingers at India for missing out on an opportunity to convert 430 into a 500-plus score in the first innings of the first Test, which came back to haunt them in Hyderabad.

Rohit And Another Missed Opportunity

A bit more tentative than needed, Rohit Sharma paid the price for it when a delivery from 20-year-old debutant Shoaib Bashir turned and kicked against the run of play, resulting in the India captain being caught at leg-slip by Ollie Pope. Despite the delay in Bashir's visa, he didn't take long to get into action in Vizag as the young spinner secured the big scalp of the India captain, as per NDTV reports.

Gill And Iyer Fail Again

His cause not helped, Shubman Gill fluffed another opportunity to convert a start into a considerable knock, raising questions about his place in the side amid criticism. Despite showing more intent than in Hyderabad and effectively countering the spin threat, Gill was undone by James Anderson, who became the oldest bowler to bowl in India in a Test match, as he poked at one and was caught by wicketkeeper Ben Foakes on a batting-friendly pitch, according to Hindustan Times.

Facing scrutiny, Shreyas Iyer failed again, playing a cross-batted shot and falling to Hyderabad hero Tom Hartley when he was batting at 27 in the second innings. Despite having a golden opportunity to prove critics wrong with a significant contribution at No. 4, Iyer has put himself under more pressure as his place in the side is on the line. Unless he makes a significant impact in the second innings in Vizag, he might have to make way when the likes of Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Ravindra Jadeja return.

On the contrary, debutant Rajat Patdiar looked in complete control. Reminiscent of Ajinkya Rahane, the Maharashtra batter made good use of the crease and his feet against the spinners. Patidar and Yashasvi stitched a 90-run stand before the debutant was bowled, inside-edging a delivery from leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed, as per media reports.

Although Axar Patel gave good support to Yashasvi Jaiswal, the left-handed batter gave his wicket away to Shoaib Bashir toward the end of the day's play for 27. Local lad KS Bharat was also guilty of throwing it away, playing a careless shot and hitting one straight into the point fielder's hands in the last 10 minutes of the day's play.