India v West Indies: Umesh Yadav's milestone and other takeaways

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  • Career-best figures for Umesh Yadav. Image - BCCI/Twitter.

    India found themselves within just three runs of West Indies‘ first innings total when day two of the second Test between the two sides drew to a close.

    Continuing from their overnight score of 295-7, the visitors were bundled out for 311 in Hyderabad. In reply, India reached 308-4 on the board when stumps were drawn on Saturday.

    Wicketkeeper batsman Rishabh Pant was batting on 85 and middle-order bat Ajinkya Rahane on 75 when play ended.

    Here, we look at the key talking points from another eventful day which saw India inch ahead.

    UMESH YADAV AND ROSTON REACH MILESTONES

    It did not take too long for India to wrap up West Indies’ innings early on day two with Umesh Yadav continuing his good form. The India pacer removed Devendra Bishoo by getting the West Indian to chop on to his stumps. Roston Chase had batted beautifully on day one to get to 98 and he had no problems in bringing up his fourth Test ton and the first by a West Indies batsman in India since 2011.

    However, the all-rounder could add only six more runs to his hundred as Umesh got one to seam in sharply and castled the batsman through the gates. That wicket brought up the pacer’s second Test five-wicket haul and his first since his 5-93 against Australia in 2012. With the very next delivery, Umesh found Shannon Gabriel’s outside edge to bring up his first-ever six-for in Test cricket.

    Only 16 more runs were added to West Indies’ overnight total as Umesh finished with 6-88. His six-wicket haul is the first by any Indian pacer at home since 1999 when Javagal Srinath picked up 6-45 against New Zealand at Mohali.

    WEST INDIES PUT INDIA IN A SPOT OF BOTHER

    India’s reply to West Indies’ 311 started on an electrifying note with Prithvi Shaw smashing 15 runs in the very first over of the innings. Playing just his second innings in Test cricket, the teenager followed up his excellent ton on debut with a quick-fire half-century off just 33 balls. At the other end, KL Rahul’s troubles continued with the opener chopping a wide Jason Holder delivery on to his stumps. That means that Rahul has now been dismissed bowled or lbw in 11 of his last 13 international innings.

    Shaw continued his onslaught on the Windies bowlers before perishing for a 53-ball 70 which included 11 boundaries and a six. All of a sudden, India found themselves on the back foot with Cheteshwar Pujara following Shaw to the pavilion in quick succession.

    India skipper Virat Kohli got off to an assured start and was looking good for a fifty when he was undone by his West Indies counterpart Jason Holder. The right-hander failed to connect to an incoming delivery from Holder which trapped him on the pads. Kohli’s dismissal reduced India to 162-4 and with just  Rahane and Pant left as the specialist batsmen, the Windies were in with a chance .

    RAHANE AND PANT HIT BACK

    The Windies had their opening after Kohli’s dismissal and with Rahane struggling for runs this year. However, the Mumbai batsman dug in with an innings filled with patience and determination.

    Having averaged just over 26 in 2018 coming into the Test, Rahane shed his attacking instincts and instead chose to accumulate runs. With Rahane playing a watchful innings, he found the perfect partner at the other end in Pant who continued to bat with freedom.

    The youngster was given a reprieve on 24 by substitute wicketkeeper Jahmar Hamilton and he made the most of it with another counter-attacking innings littered with boundaries. The pair brought up a century stand between them and ensured that the hosts would not lose any wickets in the final session. Their unbroken 146-run stand means that India will look to push on the advantage on day three while the two batsmen eye their respective tons.

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