Day 2 of the ongoing Test Match between England and India at the start speculated an exciting affair .With relatively less experience in the middle order since ace batter Virat Kohli has opted out of the first 2 tests in the series was definitely intriguing for England to grab on his opportunity. They failed however as fast paced 80 from youngster Yashaswi Jaiswal, a well calculated and crafted 86 from experienced KL Rahul and a masterful display from all rounder Ravindra Jadeja helped India to 421 for 7 with 175 runs lead over visitors England.
This lead in excess of 175 with Ravindra Jadeja (81*) and Axar Patel(35*) still occupying the crease means England has a heavy work to be done firstly to bowl out India and then on the slow turning pitch which is expected to turn even more as days progresses to sustain the heavy spin ball attack by India lead by Ravichandran Ashwin in company of Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel. Seeing the conditions any lead above 220 would have England looking at an impeding innings defeat against the Indians.
The ‘ALL ROUND’ Ravindra Jadeja show.
Ravindra Jadeja averages whopping Jadeja averages 58.06 in home Tests since the start of 2018. In India his overall batting statistics stands as 41 matches 1673 runs at an astonishing average of 41.82 with 2 hundreds and 12 fifties to his name since 2012 till date He has the special liking for England against whom he has scored 880 runs in 17 test matches at an average of 35.20 including 1 hundred and 6 fifties versus them.
The above statistics was enough to know the capability of an all rounder batter who when took centerstage alongside Rahul set the tone for perhaps the biggest win maybe by an innings for his Team India.
Ravindra Jadeja over the past few years maybe due to his time spent with charismatic MS Dhoni during his initial playing days has mastered the art of playing with the tail enders effectively and stitching effective partnerships at the end of Indian innings . Day 2 was an evidence of the same when Ravindra Jadeja forged a 65 runs quick partnership with KL Rahul, then a stabilizing 68 runs partnership with KS Bharat followed by unbeaten 63 runs partnership with Axar Patel.
These partnerships coming for different wickets at different moments of the match underlines Jadeja’s 81 not out to a greater extent and values it to the most memorable all round show having taken 3 wickets in the first innings and yet to bowl in the second one.
A true all rounders innings propelled Former batter now commentator Sanjay Manjrekar who on Day 1 criticized Jadeja for poor bowling lengths to change his words for the all rounder who now expresses innings defeat for England after Ravindra Jadeja’s masterful 81* helped India garnered lead of 175 runs over the visitors.
Sanjay Manjrekar heaps praise on Ravindra Jadeja
Former Indian batter now commentator Sanjay Manjrekar reckons that all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja’s unbeaten 81-run knock on Day 2 has put India in a commanding position against England in the first Test.
The 58-year-old believes that Ben Stokes-led side are now on the verge of losing the game by an innings as the hosts extended their first innings lead to 175 runs.
At stumps on Day 2, India were 421/7, with Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel at the crease. England put up 246 in their first innings on Day 1.
Manjrekar told ESPNCricinfo:
“It looks like Ravindra Jadeja’s innings has ensured an innings defeat for England,”
The cricketer-turned-commentator further feels that Yashaswi Jaiswal and KL Rahul’s attacking game cost their wickets and prevented them from well-deserved centuries.
While Jaiswal (80 runs off 74 balls) was caught and bowled by Joe Root, Rahul (86 off 123 deliveries) holed out to Rehan Ahmed at deep mid-wicket off Tom Hartley.
On this, Manjrekar said:
“I think Yashaswi Jaiswal and KL Rahul’s over-attacking game prevented them from their centuries, but I don’t think that the century is important.”
Sanjay Manjrekar points out flaws in Ben Stokes’s captaincy
Sanjay Manjrekar further pointed out a couple of flaws in Ben Stokes’ captaincy. The cricketer-turned-commentator said that Stokes brought on Joe Root too late, introducing him only on Day 2.
The off-spinner dismissed the left-handed batter in his opening over but didn’t bowl on Day 1 where Jaiswal amassed 76 runs.
Manjrekar further added that the visitors should have accommodated ace pacer James Anderson into the playing XI. The comments came as the spin trio – Tom Hartley, Jack Leach, and Rehan Ahmed -failed to deliver for the visitors:
“Ben Stokes’ made the late decision to bring in Joe Root to bowl, especially against Yashaswi Jaiswal. England should have kept both Mark Wood and James Anderson in the playing XI. Both are quality bowlers. They actually played more spinners [than usual].”
For the record , In India, Anderson has bagged 34 wickets in 13 Tests, with best figures of 4/40.
Going by Sanjay Manjrekar’s view and prediction for the test match Day 2 was India’s day by all means having ended day on 421 for 7 .Eight of their nine batters got starts, three of them got to 80s, with one of them still unbeaten and there were five half-century partnerships. On Day 3 India will try to solidify its lead over England as Jadeja would love to add one more century to his name.
Nothing went right for England team who now going forward in the test match faces a huge task to bowl India out first and then bat on a turning track which will help the experience Indian spin trio of Ashwin Jadeja and Axar in a far better manner to take 1-0 lead heading to Vishakhapatnam for the 2nd match of the series.