Former England captain Alastair Cook was amazed by Yashasvi Jaiswal’s magnificent ton in the ongoing second Test between India and England. He said the young batsman batted extraordinarily well and hid the hosts’ fragile batting order.
Yashasvi Jaiswal has been India’s lone warrior in the ongoing second Test against England in Visakhapatnam. India, who batted first after winning the toss, continued to lose wickets at regular intervals at one end, but the young batsman stood his ground and stood tall.
Yashasvi Jaiswal batted with maturity and brought a sense of calm to the team. No other batsman could get going as they gave away their wickets after a solid start. Had the young opener not been there, it is certain that India would have collapsed below 200 runs.
Yashasvi Jaiswal continued his strong form and reached his second century. However, he realized the need to bat long and made sure not to give away his wicket. The batsman carried his bat throughout the day and ensured that India ended the day on a high.
Yashasvi Jaiswal remained unbeaten at stumps on Day 2. The batsman scored 179 runs off 257 balls with 17 fours and five sixes to his name. His valiant effort propelled the team to a total of 336/6 runs on the board.
Alastair Cook was amazed by Yashasvi Jaiswal’s innings and said he delivered when his team needed him the most. He added that he batted with the maturity and skill of more than 22 years. Speaking to TNT Sports, he explained:
“It has been absolutely exceptional. 170-odd not out, the rest of the Indian team were 158-6 on a pretty good day. If you take him out of there, not that you should or can take him out of the side, actually, India’s fragile batting line-up. up is still there.
“It’s just been hidden by some pretty magnificent innings. When his team really needed him, he pitched the innings of a guy who looks young, but bats with the maturity and skill of a 22-plus year old.”
Yashasvi Jaiswal will get 250 tomorrow which is a threat to England – Alastair Cook
Alastair Cook further spoke about the position of the game and said that India were ahead in the game but losing wickets at the end put them on the defensive.
The former England captain, however, is aware that if Yashasvi Jaiswal scores big tomorrow and India finishes with 500 runs, he could be a threat to the visitors. He elaborated:
“In this point [during the afternoon session] India was in a really strong position. 170-2 and the danger of a massive score on a flat wicket loomed for England. India batted with great control today and at 225-3 were ahead of the game. I think India will be disappointed at having missed an opportunity.
They could still get 500, Ravi Shastri said it was a 500 wicket in the first innings to set up the game. If they do, Jaiswal will get 250 tomorrow, which poses a threat to England. “There were many exits and poor quality in the execution of the shots that caused his downfall.”
At Stumps on Day 1, India were 336/6 with Yashasvi Jaiswal batting 179* along with Ravichandran Ashwin on 5*.