India Vs England 2nd Test Day 1, The second Test between India and England kicked off at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam on February 2nd, 2024, and it was a day dominated by the young Indian opener, Yashasvi Jaiswal. Winning the toss, India opted to bat first, and Jaiswal made the most of the opportunity, crafting a magnificent century to steer his team to a strong position at stumps.
England Strike Early, But Jaiswal Stands Firm: India Vs England 2nd Test
England got off to a promising start, with James Anderson dismissing Mayank Agarwal cheaply. However, Jaiswal, along with Shubman Gill, put on a solid partnership, rebuilding the innings patiently. Gill fell after a fluent 42, but Jaiswal continued his onslaught, finding boundaries with ease and punishing loose deliveries.
Jaiswal’s Masterclass: A Ton and Beyond:
The right-hander reached his maiden Test century with a well-timed pull off Jack Leach, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. He didn’t slow down after that, showcasing his wide array of strokes and positive intent. He stitched together crucial partnerships with Hanuma Vihari and Rishabh Pant, taking India past the 300-run mark.
England Fight Back, But India Stays Ahead:
England bowlers managed to chip away with wickets in the latter stages, with Ollie Robinson and Jack Leach claiming two scalps each. However, Jaiswal remained unbeaten on a well-compiled 179, and Ravichandran Ashwin provided valuable support with an unbeaten 24. At stumps, India ended the day at a commanding 336/6, putting themselves in a strong position to control the Test.
Key Talking Points:
- Jaiswal’s Stellar Performance: The young opener announced himself on the big stage with a dominant century, showcasing his immense talent and temperament.
- India’s Batting Depth: Despite losing early wickets, the lower middle-order, particularly Vihari and Ashwin, played crucial roles in building the score.
- England’s Bowling Woes: While they managed to take wickets, they lacked consistency and allowed India to score freely for large parts of the day.