Yashasvi Jaiswal shone brightly amidst early turbulence for India, with Bangladesh’s pacers, largely Hasan Mahmud, putting the Indian batting line-up under pressure on a lively first day of the Test between India and Bangladesh at the MA Chidambaram Stadium,
With early struggles, India is pinning hopes on Yashasvi Jaiswal as he showed classy stroke play to cause concern for the Bangladesh bowlers. After being restricted to a paltry 100 by day’s end on the first day, Bangladesh succeeded in putting pressure on the Indian batting line-up with its pacers, Raising early cause for concern for the Indians.
As India stuttered to an early collapse with wickets crumbling around him, Jaiswal took things into his own hands and tried steadying the innings. As Bangladesh opted to bowl first and Hasan Mahmud broke through in the initial overs, Jaiswal came out to face Taskin Ahmed in the seventh over. Showing maturity and skill, the 22-year-old drove a 138.7 kmph delivery down the ground and sent it racing off the boundary for four.
Next over, Jaiswal once again donned his wicket-keeping gloves and continued his fine counter-attacking innings. Taskin, attempting something new around the wicket, left a half-volley on the stumps. to the top of his hands, Jaiswal on-drove with grace through mid-on, thus adding four fours to his score. His bold yet disciplined batting saw him turn the tide in favor of India.
No exception was made for Bangladesh either, as Hasan Mahmud was at his best. The wickets of Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli put Bangladesh on top, as India fumbled at 54/3. Kohli’s stay in the middle was a short saga as he gave way to a disciplined spell by Mahmud.
While the top order was under pressure, the onus is now on Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant, who will be responsible for rebuilding the innings. The nature of their partnership would determine India’s way out of trouble and facilitate a setting of a competitive total.
There’s something else Jaiswal is attempting to grab. The young opener has just eight sixes away from breaking Brendon McCullum’s record for the most number of sixes hit in a calendar year in Test cricket. Jaiswal has hit 26 sixes in 2024 and is near to breaching the existing record in Test cricket, as the fans wait with bated breath to see if he can make a bit of history in Test cricket.
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Jawad Shah