Yadav enjoying Test debut

Sport360 staff 17:42 18/11/2016
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Jayant Yadav is mobbed by his team-mates after picking up his first Test wicket.

    Jayant Yadav was included in the Indian Test squad for the series against England after some impressive performances with the India A team recently. He was left out of the team for the first Test at Rajkot, but was given his Test debut in the second Test which began on Thursday at Visakhapatnam (Vizag).

    After not having to do anything on day one as India lost just four wickets after winning the toss and batting first, Jayant was called into action on day two with both bat and ball. The 26-year-old scored a handy 32, before picking up his maiden Test wicket later in the day.

    Speaking at the end of day’s play, Jayant said it was a dream come true.

    “I thoroughly enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to tomorrow. When we start playing proper cricket, when you get into an academy, all you dream of playing is Test cricket. Coincidentally, I had my ODI and Test debut at the same ground,” said Jayant.

    “The first day, it (Test cap) did hover in my head for a long time. In the dressing room, people share a lot of things. So a lot of (recent) debutants, like KL (Rahul) told me what to expect.”

    The debutant was involved in a 64-run partnership for the ninth wicket with fellow off-spinning all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin.

    “Ash (Ashwin) was doing much of the talking in our partnership and he was just saying to express yourself, nothing special,” said Jayant.

    Speaking about the successful leg-before-wicket review against Moeen Ali that saw him get his first Test wicket, he said: “Wriddhi (Wriddhiman) did the job of convincing the captain. We had the same view on whether the ball was hitting the stumps.”

    The Haryana cricketer also spoke about his experiences with the India A team and mentioned that Rahul Dravid, who coached him at the Delhi Daredevils and India A, has helped him a lot.

    “India A is a very good stepping stone. There’s a vast difference in under-19, first-class and international cricket. Rahul (Dravid) being my mentor and coach helped. More than skills, it’s about handling the crunch situations,” he added.

    Recommended