Day two of the India-England Test here at Y. S. Rajashekar Reddy ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium is likely to be etched in the minds of Indian cricket fanatics for a long time, as it witnessed a convergence of a young prodigy's brilliance with a seasoned expertise of veteran stalwart that propelled India to a commanding position over the visitors with Jasprit Bumrah put up a special exhibition of reverse swing on a flat deck after Yashasvi Jaiswal maiden double hundred to bowl out England for 253.
India, starting the day at 336 for six, managed to post a challenging total of 396 all out in their first innings. The young left-arm batting sensation's knock of 209 off 290 deliveries provided India with a substantial platform, despite the rest of the batting lineup failing to capitalise on the favorable conditions.
In response, England found themselves in trouble against the relentless pace and precision of Jasprit Bumrah. The Indian spearhead unleashed a spellbinding performance, exploiting the conditions expertly to dismantle the England batting order. Bumrah's spell of reverse swing bamboozled the English batsmen, as he claimed six wickets for just 45 runs in 15.5 overs, including the crucial scalps of Joe Root, Ollie Pope, Jonny Bairstow, and skipper Ben Stokes.
England's batter Ollie Pope clean-bowled by Jasprit Bumrah PTI
Bumrah's mastery with the ball was on full display as he outfoxed the English batsmen with a blend of inswingers and lethal yorkers. His ability to generate late movement troubled the batsmen consistently, leading to their downfall.
Notably, Bumrah's exceptional performance also saw him reach a significant milestone, becoming the second-fastest Asian fast bowler to reach 150 Test wickets, a testament to his skill and impact on the game.
While Bumrah stole the limelight with his bowling heroics, England's Zak Crawley provided some resistance with a brisk innings of 76 runs off 78 deliveries. However, his aggression was short-lived as Bumrah intervened to halt England's momentum with his relentless accuracy and reverse swing.
Kuldeep Yadav, playing his first game of the series, complemented Bumrah's brilliance with a composed bowling display, chipping in with three crucial wickets to further dent England's hopes of mounting a comeback.
As the day drew to a close, India found themselves in a commanding position, leading by 143 runs with all ten wickets intact in their second innings. The stage is set for an intriguing battle on day three, with India looking to build on their advantage while England aims for a strong fightback.
With the pitch showing signs of deterioration and offering assistance to the bowlers, both teams will need to display resilience and adaptability to seize control of the proceedings in what promises to be a riveting contest in Visakhapatnam.
The day began with anticipation after the stellar performance by Jaiswal on day one, where he showcased his immense talent and temperament with a brilliant double century. Resuming his innings from 179 not out, Jaiswal wasted no time in reaching the coveted milestone of a double hundred, displaying a wide array of strokes and dominating the English bowlers.
Jaiswal's innings was not just a display of skill but also a testament to his perseverance and dedication to the game. Hailing from a humble background and overcoming numerous challenges, the 22-year-old left-handed batsman has quickly become a symbol of hope for young cricketers across the country.
Yashasvi Jaiswal celebrates after scoring double century PTI
His partnership with Ravichandran Ashwin further solidified India's position in the match, as the duo frustrated the English bowlers with their resilient batting display. However, the dismissal of Ashwin triggered a collapse in the Indian innings, with the lower order failing to capitalize on the platform provided by Jaiswal.
Despite the late-order collapse, India managed to post a competitive total, thanks to Jaiswal's heroics at the top of the order. However, England's hopes of mounting a strong reply were quickly dashed by the brilliance of Bumrah, who ran through their batting lineup with his exceptional display of reverse swing bowling.
Bumrah's ability to extract movement from a seemingly lifeless pitch left the English batsmen struggling for answers, as they succumbed to his relentless accuracy and pace. The significance of Bumrah's performance cannot be overstated, as he not only put India in a commanding position but also showcased his credentials as one of the premier fast bowlers in world cricket.
As the match progresses, both teams will be aware of the challenges posed by the deteriorating pitch and the potential impact of the variable bounce. With India holding the upper hand going into day three, they will be looking to press home their advantage and push for a decisive victory, while England will be determined to stage a comeback and level the series.
Scoreboard
India 1st Innings: 396.
England 1st Innings: 253.
India 2nd Innings: Yashasvi Jaiswal batting 15 Rohit Sharma batting 13 Extras: Nil Total: (For no loss in 5 overs) 28 Bowling: James Anderson 2-0-6-0, Shoaib Bashir 2-0-17-0, Rehan Ahmed 1-0-5-0.
