India vs England 2016: Second Test - 5 Talking Points
India finally managed to get the wickets of England's openers at the end of day 4 and the breakthroughs opened the floodgates as the rest of their line-up crumbled on day 5 to hand a 246-run win to India. The five-match series is now lead 1-0 by India.
Chasing an improbable 405, England decided to try and block their way to a draw rather than chase after the huge target. Hameed, the young sensation, and his senior partner and captain of the side, Alastair Cook, withstood India's bowlers for 50 overs, scoring only 75 runs.
Once the duo were sent back to the pavilion, none of Root, Stokes or Bairstow could withstand Ashwin and co. Wickets fell in clusters and England lost their last 8 on Day 5 while adding just 71. Ashwin and debutant Yadav shared three apiece while Shami and Jadeja had two each.
England may have lost the Test and given an early advantage to India in the series but their fight with bat and ball needs special appreciation. Let us take a look at five talking points from the Test.
#5 Jayant Yadav has a dream debut
The young off-spinner was handed a debut in place of Amit Mishra and the decision came in for a lot of criticism at first. Yadav silenced his critics with an all-round performance in the Test. A composed 35 in a 60+ run stand with Ashwin ushered India to 400 in the first innings.
Yadav was known for his batting skills in the Ranji for Haryana, but to replicate the same in international cricket on debut bodes well for the player.
He later showed his capabilities as a fielder by effecting a brilliant run out to send back Haseeb Hameed. A quick throw from the outfield caught Hameed short. He later got the red cherry and displayed his main trait, bowling. Capturing Ali with a trademark off-spinner’s delivery in the first innings was his first wicket in Test cricket.
A stunning off-break to bowl Ben Stokes in the second innings deserves special mention. Stokes has been a thorn in India's flesh since Rajkot and to get rid of him early on Day 5 was important. Yadav delivered the right delivery to send back Stokes and later ended England's Test with back to back wickets to finish the innings.