By Liam Warren
INDIA batting prodigy Yashasvi Jaiswal put the hosts in a strong position at 336-6 with a commanding unbeaten century on the first day of the second test in Visakhapatnam.
The 22-year-old opener smashed five sixes and 17 fours on his way to 179 not out as India cashed in after winning the toss and opting to bat.
England managed to chip away and take wickets while Jaiswal dominated but with the young batter seemingly on his way to a double ton, India are in a good position heading into the second day of play tomorrow.
The 22-year-old opener was the hosts’ hero throughout, as he stuck around until the very end of play and could be on his way a monumental double century if today’s events are anything to go by!
He played in such a fluid, stylish way that England seemingly ran out of ideas as to how to get him out.
England did start the day relatively well with the ball, taking two wickets in the opening session with debutant Shoaib Bashir picking up the huge wicket of India captain Rohit Sharma for 14 (41), the opener inside edging to Ollie Pope at leg slip.
James Anderson, who bowled at his economical best, had Shubman Gill caught behind the wicket by wicketkeeper Ben Foakes for 34 (46) – the legendary pacer’s figures reading 17 overs, three maidens and 1-30.
Jaiswal continued to kick on after the lunch break, notching up his second Test match hundred while simultaneously building partnerships with Shreyas Iyer (27 runs off 59 deliveries), debutant Rajat Paditar (32 runs off 72 deliveries) and Axar Patel (27 runs off 51 deliveries), India’s middle order failing to go big after getting good starts.
India’s wicketkeeper KS Bharat joined Jaiswal late on during the final session, before he too fell cheaply for just 17 off 23 deliveries, while the 22-year-old continued to kick on to finish the day unbeaten.
India will resume play tomorrow on 336-6 with Jaiswal, who will be aiming to play as stylishly as he did today to make a well-deserved double-century, and off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin looking to add to their already-massive total.
England meanwhile will be looking to take the remaining four wickets in quick time to give them a chance in this game.
Live Test Cricket: India vs England, second Test day one blog, 93 overs –
That is stumps on day one! The hosts are well and truly in the driver’s seat heading into the second day tomorrow morning, having dominated in every session with the bat led by 22-year-old opener Jaiswal. The second day will get underway from 4am GMT. Thank you so much for joining us today! India 336-6
92.5, 11:02am – Four runs for Ashwin! The legendary off-spinner smashes one to the rope at deep midwicket to take himself to 5* (9). India 336-6
92 overs, 11:00am – Bashir keeps it tidy for his 28th over of the day, just the two runs coming off it. India 332-6
91 overs, 10:57am – Another big moment in an otherwise less than stellar day for England, Ahmed picking up his second wicket of the day and gets England into the Indian tail. India 330-6
90.5, 10:56am – OUT! Another one bites the dust for India, Bharat falling into a similar way to his Axar cutting the ball to backward point where Bashir takes the catch for Rehan’s second of the day! Ravichandran Ashwin makes his way to the middle. India 330-6
90 overs, 10:53am – Looks like we’re going to see some more overs here, so apologies for saying that would be the last over! India 329-5
89.4, 10:50am – HUGE SIX! Ahmed bowls it middle and leg… Bharat gets down on one knee and slogs it over the deep midwicket boundary for a maximum! India 329-5.
89 overs, 10:45am – Expensive over from the debutant Bashir, 16 runs coming off it. Last over of day one next! India 323-5
88.5 – THAT’S A BIGGIE! Jaiswal smashes the final ball of the 89th over straight over Rehan’s head and into the stands for six! Jaiswal moves to 177* with that shot and will most likely carry on as he has done today tomorrow morning.
88.2 overs, 10:42am – Another boundary! Ahmed drops one short to Bharat, who rocks back and pulls it to the deep midwicket fence for four. India 312-5.
88 overs, 10:41am – that over belonged to the home side, with keeper-batter Bharat making sure Bashir is put under some pressure as the light fades. Two overs remaining, India 307-5.
87.4, 10:39am – Bashir bowls quite straight, but Bharat gets down low to slog sweep it to the deep square leg boundary and gets off the mark with a four. Excellent shot! India 307-5.
87 overs, 10:36am – Rehan’s 13th over goes for just the one run, challenging the defence of new to the crease Bharat on the front foot. India 302-5
86 overs, 10:33am – Top over from Bashir again, picking up a wicket maiden and he’s having quite the debut thus far. India 301-5
85.2, 10:30am – WICKET FOR ENGLAND! The debutant Bashir gets his second!! Axar attempts to carve one over backward point but he doesn’t get enough on it allowing Rehan to take an easy catch! KS Bharat will come to the crease next – India 301-5
85 overs, 10:28am – Another tight over from the teenage leg-spinning sensation, Ahmed bowling a maiden over. Final five overs of the day coming up! India 300-4
84 overs, 10:25am – India brought up their 300 – Axar clips it to the man out at deep midwicket for a single. India 300-4.
83.2, 10:24am – 50 partnership comes up between Jaiswal and Axar coming off 73 balls, as the free-scoring opener knocks it away for a single to square leg coming off 73 balls. India 299-4
83 overs, 10:23am- Ahmed keeps it tight again for his 11th over, four singles coming off it. India 297-4.
81.5, 10:19am – Bashir to Jaiswal, umpire review for a stumping has been taken… On the replay, Foakes has dislodged the bails but Jaiswal’s foot is grounded. Not out! India 292-4
81 overs 10:15am – Ahmed continues to be restrictive with the ball, as Jaiswal and Axar only manage to knock a single each. Ahmed 10 overs, one maiden and figures of 1-34
80 overs – Root’s poor day with the ball continues, his 14th over going for 5 runs and looks a shadow of the spinner that he was in Hyderabad. Root’s figures after this over read: 0-71, economy rate 5.07. Not great!
