England are still alive in the second Test against India, despite Yashasvi Jaiswal’s unbeaten knock of 179.
After a magnificent turnaround in the first Test at Hyderabad, Ben Stokes’s side was looking to build towards a potential 2-0 lead, when they arrived at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam.
On the other side, Rohit Sharma’s Men in Blue was looking to bounce back from a painful loss, having been in control for the majority of the first Test.
It was the hosts who won the Toss and chose to bat on a flat surface.
The hosts made three changes with, Rajat Patidar, Kuldeep Yadav, and Mukesh Kumar coming in for KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, and Mohammed Siraj.
The tourists made just two changes, with Shoaib Bashiir and James Anderson replacing Jack Leach and Mark Wood.
Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal got the innings off to a steady start, scoring 40 in 17.2 Overs.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut Stokes’s innovative thinking got the better of the India captain, as he guided a straight ball off his pads to Ollie Pope at leg slip with the score 40-1. Bashir celebrated his first wicket in Test Cricket.
Embed from Getty ImagesYashasvi Jaiswal began to get on top of England’s Bowlers.
Embed from Getty ImagesWhile Shubman Gill was looking in fine touch at the other end.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut just as the duo were starting to establish a substantial partnership, Anderson’s persistence with a good line and length, reaped its rewards as it lured Gill into nicking off to Foakes at 89-2.
Embed from Getty ImagesJaiswal reached yet another half-century in 89 balls.
Embed from Getty ImagesWhile Shreyas Iyer got into the act at the other end.
Embed from Getty ImagesWhen India reached 103-2 at Lunch, the home fans thought this could be a big first innings total for the team. England were hoping to put the pressure back on the hosts, by taking another couple of wickets.
But Iyer continued where he left off before Lunch.
Embed from Getty ImagesAnd Jaiswal came out with even more intent.
Embed from Getty ImagesJoe Root also missed a tough chance from the left-hander when he was on 73.
Embed from Getty ImagesJaiswal also brought up his second Test century in style.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut just as their partnership was beginning to blossom, Iyer’s attempt cut shot off Tom Hartley found the hands of England’s Wicket-Keeper Ben Foakes at 179-3.
Embed from Getty ImagesAnd Patidar looked to be making an impression on his first Test innings.
Embed from Getty ImagesWhen India reached 225-3 at tea, they were hoping to solidify their position in the third session. England, on the other hand, were looking to take wickets to restrict the scoring.
Jaiswal continued to dominate the bowling.
Embed from Getty ImagesPatidar’s promising innings of 32 came to an unfortunate end by Rehan Ahmed, as the ball trickled off his bat and onto the stumps at 249-4.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut Axar Patel started to get amongst the runs again.
Embed from Getty ImagesAnd Jaiswal reached 150, with a cracking cover drive off Root.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut just as Patel was looking comfortable in the middle, his attempted back foot, cut shot of Bashir flew straight into the hands of Ahmed at short Third Man. India was in a spot of discomfort at 301-5.
Embed from Getty ImagesKS Bharat continued where he left off in Hyderabad.
And at the other end, Jaiswal was putting England’s bowlers to the sword.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut just as the pair were looking like batting out the day, Bharat’s miscued cut shot off Ahmed found the hands of Bashir at Third Man.
Embed from Getty ImagesHowever, Ravichandran Ashwin along with Jaiswal, ensured that there were no more wickets lost by India, as they ended Day One on 336-6,
Embed from Getty ImagesSo, an even first day’s play at Vizag and England will be reasonably happy with the six wickets, although things could have been better for them, had Root held onto the tough chance of Jaiswal on 73.
Tomorrow promises to be a fascinating day’s play, as India will be hoping to push towards 400 and beyond.
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The hosts began Day 2 336-6, with Yashasvi Jaiswal resuming his scintillating innings 179, along with Ravichandran Ashwin, who was on five not out.
Ashwin got his innings going with some lovely cover drives.
England, on the other hand, England must strive to keep their opponents’ score below the designated target. will look to restrict them to below that score.
What will happen on Day 2?
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