India vs England, 2nd Test Day 1 concluded with India posting a score of 336/6 in 93 overs at STUMPS in Vizag. The standout performance came from Yashasvi Jaiswal, who remained unbeaten at 179, achieving both his second Test century and a career-best score. Presently, Yashasvi is at the crease alongside Ashwin.
In the second Test at Vizag between India and England, India concluded the day’s play at STUMPS with a score of 336/6 in 93 overs. The remarkable contribution came from Yashasvi Jaiswal, who remained unbeaten at 179, marking both his second Test century and a personal career-best. At the crease currently are Yashasvi and Ashwin.
Earlier, at Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, after winning the toss, Yashasvi Jaiswal and skipper Rohit Sharma aimed to avoid a repeat of early wicket losses from the previous Test in Hyderabad.
Unfortunately, Rohit Sharma (14) fell victim to England’s Test debutant Shoaib Bashir, deflecting the third delivery of the 18th over to leg slip. Subsequently, Shubman Gill (34) provided support to Jaiswal but succumbed to James Anderson’s fifth delivery of the 29th over, caught by Foakes. This marked the fifth occasion Gill fell to the veteran swinger, giving Anderson his 691st Test wicket.
Shreyas Iyer (27) played some solid shots, contributing to a 50-run partnership with Jaiswal for the third wicket in 85 balls. However, Iyer lost his wicket to Tom Hartley in the fourth delivery of the 51st over, caught by English wicketkeeper Foakes.
Rajat Patidar (32) joined Jaiswal for a 50-run fourth-wicket partnership in 89 balls but lost his wicket to Rehan Ahmed in the 71.1 over, losing his stumps.
After Patidar, Axar Patel (27) boosted the run rate but fell in the 85.3 over to Shoaib Bashir, caught by Rehan Ahmed.
Local player Kona Srikar Bharat (17) showcased commendable skills but lost his wicket in the 90.6 over to Rehan Ahmed, caught by Shoaib Bashir.
Despite the challenges, the standout performer of DAY 1 was India’s opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, remaining unbeaten at 179 runs in 257 balls. Leading India to a score of 336/6 in 93 overs, this marked Jaiswal’s second Test century, surpassing his previous best of 171 against West Indies. In his innings, he struck 17 fours and an impressive 5 sixes.
Jaiswal reached his century in 151 balls and his 150 in 224 balls. He will resume DAY 2 alongside R Ashwin (5) on February 3.
In England’s bowling efforts, debutant spinner Shoaib Bashir and Rehan Ahmed secured two wickets each, whereas Tom Hartley and James Anderson claimed one wicket each.
Reflecting on the previous match, England emerged victorious in the first Test by 28 runs in Hyderabad, largely thanks to the exceptional performance of Tom Hartley. The debutant slow left-arm orthodox bowler claimed 7 wickets in the second innings, restricting the hosts to 202 runs.
Another debutant, Ollie Pope, deserves commendation for his outstanding innings of 196 runs in the second innings. His contribution helped England set a target of 420, which India ultimately fell short of chasing.
As the action shifts to Vizag, conditions are expected to differ. While Hyderabad favored spin right from the start, Vizag is anticipated to offer more opportunities for batters in the initial stages of the game.
Squads:
India: Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, KS Bharat (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (VC) and Rajat Patidar.
England (Playing 11): Ben Stokes (Captain), Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Joe Root, Ollie Pope, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Foakes (wk), Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, Shoaib Bashir, James Anderson.
India have won the toss and decided to bat first.