Visakhapatnam: Jayant Yadav repaid team management’s faith after he was drafted into the team for Vizag Test in place of Amit Mishra.
The all-rounder, who bowls off-spin and more than a handy batsman, did no wrong in his debut Test. The 26-year-old scalped four wickets in the match, including the three on the final day of the second Test, and chipped in with crucial runs with the bat in both the innings.
His brilliant tag team effort with Wriddhiman Saha to run out Haseeb Hameed in England’s first innings was also one of the turning points in the match.
Batting with Ashwin in the first innings, he scored 35 runs, not only did Jayant’s efforts do a world of good to his career, it also dashed England’s hopes of wrapping up Indian innings before the hometeam had crossed the 400-run mark.
India eventually scored 455 runs in the first innings and the 64-run stand between Ashwin and Jayant played a big role in the same.
Jayant, the batsman, once again proved his worth after India were reduced to 162/9 in the second innings. Jayant and Mohammed Shami put up a 42-run stand for the last wicket to take India’s lead past 400.
Indian skipper Virat Kohli, who won Man of the Match award for his brilliant batting performance, was wholesome in his praise for Jayant.
"The biggest positives are how the fast bowlers bowled and Jayant's debut. It's always priceless those contributions and it speaks volumes of his character," said Kohli.
"I'm really happy for him. For a young guy to come in and tell me the field he wants, it shows he knows what he is doing," added Kohli.
Vizag will always remain a special place for Jayant. Not only did he receive his Test debut at the venue, he also played his first ODI at the same venue when he was picked to pick represent India in the fifth and final ODI against New Zealand.
While Indian selectors are yet to announce squad for the remaining three Tests against England, Jayant has done enough to claim his place in the side.
