Yashasvi Jaiswal frustrated England with a batting masterclass as India edged an absorbing first day of the second Test.
The hosts reached stumps on 336 for six, Jaiswal contributing an unbeaten 179, to rescue a top-order that again struggled to make a significant impact.
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Every other Indian batter got in but then failed to convert into a meaningful score as England’s spinners – and returning seamer James Anderson – kept them on a tight leash while taking wickets on a regular basis.
Debutant Shoaib Bashir was arguably the pick of the England attack, taking two for 100 off 28 overs. Rehan Ahmed claimed two for 61 with first Test hero Tom Hartley taking one for 74.
The day was all about Jaiswal, though. He batted all day and displayed another example of his precocious talent to make his second Test hundred, his first being a brilliant 171 on debut in the West Indies.
“I was just batting session by session, and made sure that if they were bowling well I play out that spell,” Jaiswal says. “That’s it.”
India will rue the fact his batting partners did not follow the same formula.
Stuck at it and got our rewards 👏
Three wickets in the evening session to end Day One 💪
Match Centre: https://t.co/tALYxvMByx
🇮🇳 #INDvENG 🏴 | #EnglandCricket pic.twitter.com/ok2JVrOxU3
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 2, 2024
Captain Rohit Sharma’s poor run continued – he has not passed 50 in any of his last seven Test innings – and he provided Bashir with his first Test wicket with a lazy flick that was taken at leg slip by Ollie Pope having made 14.
That dismissal prompted a familiar tale for India. Shubman Gill (34) edged behind of Anderson, Shreyas Iyer fell to Hartley, Rajat Patidar’s debut was ended by Ahmed for 32 while Bashir accounted for Axar Patel (27).
Patel’s mode of dismissal – caught at backward point while attempting to square cut – was mirrored when KS Bharat (17) was removed by Ahmed as England profited late in the day.
If England can keep India below 400 tomorrow with Jaiswal’s wicket key, the tourists will fancy their chances of doubling their advantage in the series following the remarkable first Test victory in Hyderabad last week.
