Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 87 runs off 107 deliveries on Day 1 of India’s second Test against England at Edgbaston in Birmingham. He was one among India’s star performances on Wednesday, July 2, when the tourists scored 310/5 in 85 overs.
Yashasvi Jaiswal batted with a lot of flair, chasing any loose delivery that came his way.
He played and missed several cuts, similar to the first Test in Headingley, Leeds. However, just as he was about to score his second Test century of the tour and sixth overall, Ben Stokes removed him with a benign delivery that was put short and wide of off-stump. Jaiswal attempted a cut shot, but the ball deflected off the bottom edge and fell to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, who made no mistake in taking the catch.
Former India batsman Cheteshwar Pujara suggested that bowlers aim to bowl consistently on a good length around the off-stump and patiently wait for Jaiswal to make a mistake.
“You have to bowl the appropriate length—around off-stump, on a decent length. Continue doing that and wait for him to make a mistake,” Pujara urged the announcers after the day’s play.
Once he gets through that initial half-hour, he’s in complete control: Cheteshwar Pujara
Pujara said that once Jaiswal gets himself set at the crease, he looks in complete control and doesn’t let go of chances to score with his wide range of shots, making it difficult for the bowlers to bowl to him.
“Early on, it seemed like he was trying too hard to play shots, but once he settled, the kind of strokes he played were outstanding. Once he gets through that initial half-hour, he’s in complete control. He doesn’t miss scoring opportunities, and that makes it very difficult for a bowling team,” Pujara said.
“If you pitch it up, he drives well. If it’s short outside off-stump, he cuts well. If you try bumpers, he pulls confidently. The margin of error for bowlers is incredibly small against him,” Pujara added.
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