Late breakthroughs by Shoaib Bashir and Rehan Ahmed turned the tide for England, countering Yasashvi Jaiswal's impressive Test performance with a score of 179 off 257 balls. The second Test at Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium saw India finishing the day at 336 for 6.
In the final session, England's bowlers secured three crucial wickets, leveling the playing field on a pitch that had yet to exhibit significant turn. India managed to accumulate 111 runs during this session, showcasing their batting prowess.
Debutant Rajat Patidar faced an unfortunate dismissal, with Ahmed's googly rebounding off his bat onto the stumps, curtailing his promising innings at 32. Despite this setback, Jaiswal's exceptional knock, featuring 17 boundaries and five maximums, kept India in a strong position, especially during the 70-run partnership with Patidar for the fourth wicket.
As the day neared its end, K.S Bharat fell victim to a similar fate as Axar Patel, both succumbing to Ahmed's wily deliveries. Jaiswal stood firm, concluding the day unbeaten at 179, with Ravichandran Ashwin offering support at five.
The late strikes by England, particularly Axar Patel's dismissal at the hands of Bashir, injected fresh excitement into the game. India faced disappointment, losing wickets No. 5 and 6 in a manner that could have been avoided.
Jaiswal's spectacular performance took center stage, marking his second Test century and surpassing his previous best of 171 on debut against West Indies. Despite losing two quick wickets, Axar Patel to Bashir and K.S Bharat to Ahmed, Jaiswal's resilience ensured India finished the day on a positive note.
James Anderson played a pivotal role, dismissing Shubman Gill for the fifth time in Tests. Jaiswal's unbeaten 179 stole the spotlight, demonstrating a remarkable balance between defensive and aggressive play, making him the star of the day.
Brief scores:
India 336/6 in 93 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 179 not out, Shubman Gill 34; Rehan Ahmed 2-61, Shoaib Bashir 2-100)
