The day one of the second Test between India and England at Vizag saw Yashasvi Jaiswal score an unbeaten 179, taking the hosts to 336/6. It must be admitted that the Indian opener made batting look easy on a pitch, that had something for the bowlers. But India perhaps won’t be happy with the way some of the batsmen got out.
Ideally, four down at the end of day’s play, is what would have made skipper Rohit Sharma happy. Since India’s tail has already started, it could be difficult to get past 450 or 500, which could be a great first innings total in Vizag. Of course, R Ashwin is still there at the crease with Jaiswal, and has five tons & 14 fifties to his name, but his batting isn’t the most reliable these days.
In the last 21 batting innings, he has three fifties to his name, and the batting average, which used to be in the mid-30s at one point, has dropped down to 26.
Historically at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium..
Prior to this Test, only two Tests have been played at this venue, and India won them both, by over 200 runs. Not surprisingly, the template for the wins was the same. In the 2016 Test against England in Vizag, the hosts first scored 455, and then bundled out the opposition for 255. Then after being set a target of 405, England were dismissed for 158.
Then in the second Test, in 2019 against South Africa, it was a similar story. India posted 502/7 dec in the first innings, followed by South Africa’s 431. Then after being set a target of 395, the Proteas were all out for 191.
If the history is anything to go by, at this venue, then India would at least need 450 on the board, which is still a fair distance away. Having said that, the pitch will only deteriorate from here on, and spinners will have a crucial role to play.
