Team's debutant Jayant Yadav’s contribution to India's 246-run win over visitors England in the second Test match in Visakhapatnam cannot be underestimatd
Jayant Yadav celebrates the wicket of Ben Stokes yesterday. Pic/AFP
Jayant Yadav celebrates the wicket of Ben Stokes yesterday. Pic/AFP
England captain Alastair Cook didn't need a crystal ball to tell him that saving a Test match after conceding a 200-run lead to India wasn't going to be easy. England have shown enough batting to compete well and Cook is a veteran, the old fashioned Test match batsman, who can grind the opposition with his percentage batsmanship.
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Young Haseeb Hameed has been christened Baby Boycott. Now, my generation knows Boycott very well and how much he loved batting. To be even spoken of in the same breath as Boycott, is a huge compliment. Stokes, Moeen and Bairstow are fine positive players who are fearless and can change the course of a Test match with their counter attacking approach.
Poor approach by England
With so much in the batting arsenal, one has to seriously question the stoic approach of Cook and Hameed. Batting last in India is never a walk in the park because eventually you will get one that hits your toes or the glove.
Cook (54 off 188 balls) and Hameed (25 off 144 balls) is a reflection of the cautious approach by the English openers. England was never going to save this Test on this wicket by consuming balls. England's only chance of saving this Test was if they got around 150 for the loss of one wicket and spread a feeling of panic in the Indian dressing room. England knows that, but they didn't back themselves to do what they know should have been done.
The success story of this Test match has been the debut of Jayant Yadav. His involvement in the field and his contribution with the bat and ball may look small in comparison to others but his attitude and body language in his debut is commendable.
The Indian batting was all about Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli in this Test match. They seem to be operating from a zone where they are in control of their game, the pressure and also the fear of failure. Watching Pujara and Kohli accumulate runs has been like reading good poetry.
R Ashwin is on a roll as an all-rounder. His batting has complimented his bowling and with every good score he will gain confidence to run through teams, especially in home conditions. With Shami and Umesh picking up crucial wickets there appears to be a sense of security amongst the spinners.
Attitude must change
England will have to be more positive and believe they have the batting strength to make a match of a game even if they bat second. Their second day collapse losing 10 wickets for 83 dented their confidence and a comeback from there on was always an uphill task. So what can England take out of this game? Belief that Chris Broad and James Anderson have the skill to perform in adverse conditions. Faith that their spinners can support the pacers if the batting is positive.
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