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Jasprit Bumrah claims six-wicket haul to put India on top against England

nick hoult
·51 min read
Ollie Pope's stumps go flying from a Jasprit Bumrah yorker
Ollie Pope's stumps go flying from a Jasprit Bumrah yorker - Reuters/Francis Mascarenhas

Reverse swing and mystery spin make for a dangerous concoction especially when blended with the artful genius of Jasprit Bumrah.

Because of his old-ball skills, and left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav’s unusual variations, India grabbed control of the second Test. England require another far-fetched, plot-twisting reversal to have any hope of protecting their series lead. Pull it off from here and Hyderabad will look like a walk in the park.

Surely even they cannot overturn a 143-run first-innings deficit when batting last, the crucial difference from last week, on a surface that is turning more and will deteriorate further. Bowled out for 253 after India made 396 which felt slightly under par, England’s chance to exploit an under-strength India was snatched away by Bumrah’s six for 45. This was a fightback by India, a bloody reminder of their formidable prowess and competitive spirit despite their big-name absences.

Pity poor James Anderson. After bowling heroically on a flat pitch for three for 47, he had to strap his boots back on and run in again with the new ball before the day was out (predictably smacked for four fifth ball) because Bumrah outdid him with an exhibition of seam bowling with the old ball that spoiled the cream of England’s batting: Joe Root, Ollie Pope, Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes. They exited wearing stunned expressions, meanwhile Bumrah grinned his wide, toothy smile, enjoying the taste of bamboozled Bazballers.

On a spinners’ pitch, the seamers – Anderson and Bumrah – have taken nine wickets and Ravi Ashwin went without in an innings at home for only the sixth time in his career. Never say Test cricket is predictable.

Instead of Ashwin, it was the novelty of Kuldeep that had England thinking as they struggled to size him up. All this was after Yashasvi Jaiswal became the third youngest Test double centurion for India. Only one other batsman has passed 47 in the game, Jaiswal’s 209 sticking out as tall and proud as the Vizag lighthouse.

India are seriously under-strength for this match and this was a golden chance for England, but in Bumrah they have a giant of the game, the greatest seamer they have produced in 90 years.

There is no harder skill to pull off on Indian pitches. Freakish in style but totally in command of his extraordinary skills, Bumrah’s final figures only tell part of the story. Break it down and he was 11.5-4-21-6 with the old ball across three spells, which is a warning that no matter how well England start – they reached fifty without loss at six an over – India have a Bumrah-sized life ring to toss in the water.

He moved past 150 Test dismissals and only Frank Tyson has a better average than Bumrah’s 20.28. He can already be ranked alongside the greats.

The dismissal of Ollie Pope will be the clip that is shared millions of times on social media...

... but it was the working over of Joe Root that was of the highest quality.

It was smart captaincy too by Rohit Sharma to bring Bumrah back on after Zak Crawley had thrown away his chance of a birthday hundred by slogging a catch in the air on 76.

India know Bumrah is Root’s bogey man and this was a pivotal moment. Bumrah kept angling the ball in, nipping it away late and Root tried to resist. But like someone who has been told not to touch a hot surface, he could not help himself, dabbing at the ball, edging and pulling his bat away as if to say ‘oh yeah it is hot’ as he nicked to slip.

The Pope dismissal was a mouth-dropping moment. He had seen off Kuldeep who had him in all sorts of bother turning the ball both ways, and was building into his innings a week after that mammoth 196.

But Bumrah homed in with the yorker he learned bowling at his mum’s skirting board as a kid when it was too hot to go outside in Ahmedabad. It was now too hot for Pope. His leg and middle stumps were sent flying, the zinger bails arced high in the sky and must have been picked up on the radar at Vizag’s naval base down the road.

England had lost 3-26 after drinks, and Bumrah knocked over two for three in 17 balls, grabbing Root’s wicket for the eighth time.

Bairstow played inside the line of off stump wary of lbw, and looked pretty secure, but 10 dot balls in a row after tea as Bumrah mixed up induckers and away nippers did the trick. Finally he pushed at wide outswinger and nicked off.

England put away the sweep against Kuldeep because the bounce made the shot more dangerous than last week but also they were struggling to read his variations from the hand. He broke the opening stand, removing Ben Duckett caught at silly point, before Crawley, who had slammed 11 fours and two sixes and looked set to emulate Jaiswal, thick-edged a slog off Axar Patel. Crawley will not regret the intent, just the execution. That is the deal with Bazball but the innings opened up for India and Bumrah got to work on the experienced middle order.

England gave away wickets trying to rebuild. Rehan Ahmed bopped a long hop to midwicket and Ben Foakes played inside one from Kuldeep. Now England were sinking.

Stokes and Tom Hartley added 47, and the captain was twitching, ready for take off after his usual defensive start. He swept Ravi Ashwin for six and Hartley dumped Kuldeep over the rope in the next over.

Bumrah came back with England 222 for seven and with his second ball bowled Stokes with one that nipped in and kept slightly low to hit the stumps. He dropped his bat in submission and held out his arms for the second Test in a row after falling to Bumrah. It was a gesture of confused acceptance and a compliment of the highest order.

Second Test, day two: As it happened

12:48 PM GMT

Listen: Boycott's day two verdict

11:53 AM GMT

Zak Crawley: 'We're still in the game'

They played really well – Jaiswal’s innings was unbelievable and Bumrah was very, very good. He bowled some unplayable balls. The pitch is better than Hyderabad so I feel like we’re still in the game – we can chase a score on the fourth and fifth day.

I was disappointed to get out when I did. It was starting to reverse so it was tricky for the new lads to start. But that’s the way it goes sometimes when you play aggressively.

Whatever they set us, we’ll believe we can chase it. If we don’t, we’ll go again. But the belief is always there.

11:41 AM GMT

Game recognise game

11:39 AM GMT

A beaming Jasprit Bumrah speaks

In India, if you want to take wickets in first-class cricket you have to learn to bowl reverse swing because the new ball doesn’t do a lot. When you’re born in this country you understand how to use it to your advantage. There’s no better feeling.

After the [Ollie] Pope delivery I thought they might be keeping an eye on the inswinger, so then the outside edge came into play. People try magic balls every other ball but you have to be patient and set the batter up. You have to have a plan and use your deliveries wisely. I was very happy with the execution too.

I am very happy [to reach 150 Test wickets with such a low average], but I try not to look at the numbers. When you do that you put pressure on yourself and you stop enjoying the game because you are thinking about accolades and milestones.

Ollie Pope is bowled spectacularly by Jasprit Bumrah
Ollie Pope is bowled spectacularly by Jasprit Bumrah - Stu Forster/Getty Images

11:33 AM GMT

OVER 5: INDIA 28/0 (Jaiswal 15 Rohit 13)

Ben Stokes gives Rehan Ahmed the last/penultimate over of the day in the hope he might burgle a wicket. He doesn’t: Rohit cuts for four and wastes enough time to ensure it is indeed the last over of a fantastic day for India. They are in total control, 171 runs ahead on a wearing pitch after a devastating performance from Jasprit Bumrah.

Not long after lunch, England looked in a nice position, with Crawley motoring and the pitch flat after a decent showing from their bowlers first thing. But things have gone pear-shaped, and they face a serious battle to preserve their series lead.

11:27 AM GMT

OVER 4: INDIA 23/0 (Jaiswal 15 Rohit 8)

They’re all making statements now. Jaiswal hits three successive boundaries off Bashir: a thump down the ground, a wristy back cut and an elegant drive through mid-on. England look a bit flat; they’re probably shell-shocked by the speed with which this game has been taken away from them. India lead by 166.

11:24 AM GMT

OVER 3: INDIA 11/0 (Jaiswal 3 Rohit 8)

Anderson ensures Rohit can’t free his arms by bowling a very tight line. He looks weary as hell but his accuracy remains the same. An excellent over ends with a strangled shout for LBW when Rohit gets an inside edge onto the pad.

11:19 AM GMT

OVER 2: INDIA 10/0 (Jaiswal 2 Rohit 8)

Shoaib Bashir opens the bowling for the first time in Test cricket. He has a slip and leg slip for Jaiswal, who almost gets in trouble trying to cut a ball that is too close to the stumps.

A single brings Rohit on strike for one ball, which he drives elegantly for four. He’s back in World Cup mode, making a statement to both teams with his aggressive strokeplay.

11:16 AM GMT

OVER 1: INDIA 5/0 (Jaiswal 1 Rohit 4)

Jimmy Anderson looks thrilled to be bowling so soon after his brilliant spell this morning. His mood doesn’t improve when Rohit flashes him past backward point for four. In the first innings Rohit was passive to a fault; now he wants to put the foot on England’s throat. The mood of the whole series has changed in the four hours since Jasprit Bumrah returned for his third spell.

11:10 AM GMT

Here come the Indian openers

There are 20 minutes’ play remaining. I realise England had a bigger deficit in the first Test, but they weren’t batting last in that game. Forget it, it’s over.

11:05 AM GMT

India lead by 143 runs

Jasprit Bumrah leads his team off after a performance of the purest genius. He finishes with figures of 6/45, but that doesn’t tell the full story. His first four overs went for 24 either side of lunch, with Zak Crawley hitting four fours in one over.

Bumrah returned later in the afternoon session, armed with a reverse-swinging ball, and raised hell for England. He outsmarted Root and Bairstow, detonated Pope’s stumps with an amazing yorker and nipped Stokes’ counter-attack in the bud. His last three spells, on a pretty flat pitch, produced combined figures of 11.5-4-21-6. It feels like a career-defining performance, although he has a few years to surpass it.

11:00 AM GMT

Wicket!

Anderson LBW b Bumrah 6 Full, straight and plumb LBW - so plumb that Anderson doesn’t review even though England three remaining, A man needs his dignity. FOW: 253 all out

10:57 AM GMT

OVER 55: ENGLAND 252/9 (Anderson 6 Bashir 7)

The wicketless Mukesh Kumar is replaced by Kuldeep. He tosses one up to Anderson, who accepts the invitation and belts a slog-sweep for four. Then he gloves a reverse sweep between the keeper’s legs for two, though the umpires gives them as byes.

England have now added 70 for the last three wickets, which is a decent effort. The Bumrah/Kuldeep-induced (let’s not bother with a portmanteau) collapse from 114/1 to 182/7 left them with too much to do.

10:53 AM GMT

OVER 54: ENGLAND 245/9 (Anderson 2 Bashir 6)

No fast bowler with at least 50 Test wickets has a lower average than Jasprit Bumrah except Frank Tyson, who averaged 18. He is one of the greats.

I think he’s India’s greatest ever bowler. Or is it too soon to say that? Maybe 200 Test wickets is an unofficial qualification for such an accolade. Shouldn’t take him long.

10:48 AM GMT

OVER 53: ENGLAND 243/9 (Anderson 1 Bashir 5)

Shoaib Bashir’s first Test boundary is a fine shot, flipped wristily through midwicket when Mukesh drifts oto the pads. England trail by too many, 153 to be precise.

Who knew Test cricket was a two-man game? Last week it was Pope and Hartley; this week Jaiswal and Bumrah.

Jasprit Bumrah celebrates another wicket
Jasprit Bumrah celebrates another wicket - Dibyangshu Sarkar/AFP

10:40 AM GMT

OVER 52: ENGLAND 239/9 (Anderson 1 Bashir 1)

India review for LBW against Anderson. I think he got an inside-edge; if not he’s done.

He’s given not out because the evidence is inconclusive, though my hunch is he was out. The ball hit both pads, hence the two noises, but crucially there was a spike as the ball passed the bat. That spike may well have been the bat scraping the ground; it’s not for the third umpire to speculate, though, and Anderson survives.

So ends another irresistible over from surely the greatest bowler India have ever produced.

Bumrah’s figures: 14-5-42-5.

Bumrah’s figures since lunch, with the old ball: 10-4-18-5.

10:37 AM GMT

Wicket!

Hartley c Gill b Bumrah 21 Bumrah has a five-for, and few people in human history have deserved anything more. Hartley has a big heave and slices the ball to first slip, where Gill takes another sharp catch. This will go down as one of the best bowling performances of the decade. FOW: 238/9

10:35 AM GMT

OVER 51: ENGLAND 230/8 (Hartley 17 Anderson 1)

Mukesh bowls a maiden to Anderson. Meanwhile, here’s Jasprit Bumrah’s latest of furniture vandalism.

Ben Stokes is bowled by Jasprit Bumrah
Ben Stokes is bowled by Jasprit Bumrah - Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

10:29 AM GMT

OVER 50: ENGLAND 230/8 (Hartley 17 Anderson 1)

That was Bumrah’s 150th Test wicket, which have come at an average of 20.50 apiece.

I know I keep going on about Bumrah’s figures with the old ball but they are just extraordinary: 9-4-13-4. He has wiped out England’s enter middle order: Pope, Root, Bairstow and Stokes.

10:23 AM GMT

Wicket!

Stokes b Bumrah 47 The Indian captain Rohit Sharma has had enough of this nonsense and types cheat code 8-U-M-R-A-H into the computer. It works within two balls. Stokes is bowled by one that keeps a bit low and pegs back the off stump. He drops his bat and throws his hands wide as if to say, ‘What the hell am I supposed to do at that?’

It’s an understandable reaction in the heat of the moment. But it’s unlike Stokes, not really in the spirit of Bazball and it certainly doesn’t send a great message to his team. I’m not sure the ball kept that low, in truth, and his reaction was was reminiscent of Sir Ian Botham in the Caribbean when England were beaten 5-0 in 1985-86. Still, you can appreciate Stokes’s frustration because he was revving up nicely. Past tense. FOW: 229/8

10:20 AM GMT

OVER 49: ENGLAND 229-7 (Stokes 47 Hartley 17)

Rohit Sharma gambles by bringing back Mukesh Kumar, who took some tap earlier in the day. I guess it’s worth it for the potential upside, some confidence-boosting lower-order wickets. Then again, Hartley is a No9 only in name - he shows his ability with a wristy clip to the midwicket boundary.

Stokes and Hartley had added 47 in 40 balls. Another 250 could make this interesting.

10:14 AM GMT

OVER 48: ENGLAND 222-7 (Stokes 47 Hartley 11)

Ashwin to Stokes, who tests out his new knee by stealing a second run to long on. By keeping strike he enables the next shot, a scrunch down the ground for four. He should trademark this kind of innings: first gear until the tail is exposed, top gear thereafter.

10:10 AM GMT

OVER 47: ENGLAND 214-7 (Stokes 40 Hartley 10)

Tom Hartley slog-sweeps Kuldeep for six, and why not.

10:03 AM GMT

OVER 46: ENGLAND 205-7 (Stokes 38 Hartley 3)

Stokes has activated Beast Mode. He slog-sweeps Ashwin into the crowd for six, his first in this innings, and a single takes him to 38. The first 19 runs took 33 balls; the second 19 came off 10.

Drinks.

Ben Stokes tees off in Vizag
Ben Stokes tees off in Vizag - Dibyangshu Sarkar/AFP

10:00 AM GMT

OVER 45: ENGLAND 196-7 (Stokes 29 Hartley 3)

Stokes launches Kuldeep over mid-on for four. The ball kept a bit low but he went through with the shot and cleared the fielder pretty comfortably. He edges a cut for four more, jut wide of Rohit at slip. It flashed past him so it would have been needed a great reaction catch. England trail by 200 runs, and I bet the lunatics still fancy their chances.

09:56 AM GMT

OVER 44: ENGLAND 185-7 (Stokes 19 Hartley 2)

If England win from here, Hyderbad will look like a routine victory by comparison.

09:54 AM GMT

OVER 43: ENGLAND 182-7 (Stokes 18 Hartley 0)

A nervous start for Hartley, who survives an LBW appeal - inside edge - and then spoons the ball safely on the off side. That bounced a lot more than he expected. Ravindra Jadeja’s injury may have been a perverse blessing in disguise for India.

09:51 AM GMT

Wicket!

Rehan c Gill b Kuldeep 6 If you live by the long hop, you can’t complain when you occasionally die by it. Rehan Ahmed, who knows from experience that wristspinners take a disproprtionate number of wickets with drag-downs, has carted Kuldeep straight to midwicket. Shubman Gill timed his jump perfectly to take a sharp catch, his third of the innings. FOW: 182/7

09:47 AM GMT

OVER 42: ENGLAND 181-6 (Stokes 17 Rehan 6)

Ashwin replaces Bumrah, who had figures of 8-4-12-3 across two spells with the old ball. A quiet over, one from it. England need another 29 to take a first-innings lead over Yashasvi Jaiswal.

09:44 AM GMT

OVER 41: ENGLAND 180-6 (Stokes 16 Rehan 6)

Stokes shapes to cut a ball from Kuldeep that bounces grotesquely outside off stump. Stokes aborts his shot, widens his eyes and privately thinks, ‘We’re buggered.’ The last bit is unconfirmed.

09:39 AM GMT

OVER 40: ENGLAND 177-6 (Stokes 14 Rehan 5)

While this innings belongs to Bumrah, we shouldn’t underestimate the importance of Kuldeep’s inclusion in the team. He took the wickets of Duckett and Foakes, and England have never looked entirely comfortable against him. If Jadeja is fit for the next Test, Kuldeep should stay in the team ahead of Axar Patel.

Bumrah continues to Rehan Ahmed, who punches a very confident drive that is superbly stopped in the covers by Patel. He throws down the stumps for good measure, which leads to a precautionary run-out referral, but Rehan’s bat was safely in his crease.

Rehan gets his first boundary off the last ball of the over, timing it wristily whence it came. Shot!

09:33 AM GMT

OVER 39: ENGLAND 172-6 (Stokes 14 Foakes 6)

England have lost five wickets for 58 - all bar Crawley to defensive or neutral strokes - on an essentially flat pitch. Trouble is, reverse swing and wrist spin don’t really need any help from the pitch.

09:31 AM GMT

Wicket!

Foakes b Kuldeep 6 Uh-oh. England are in an almost inescapable hole now. Foakes has gone, bowled pushing down the wrong line at Kuldeep. It was a lovely delivery which drifted away and then straightened to hit the outside of off stump, though Foakes will be disappointed he didn’t keep it out. FOW: 172/6

09:29 AM GMT

OVER 38: ENGLAND 172-5 (Stokes 14 Foakes 6)

Another exhilarating over from Bumrah goes unrewarded. Foakes is beaten, inside-edges for four, outside-edges short of slip and digs out a malevolent yorker. If India go on to win the match and series, and I appreciate that’s a big if, this spell deserves to go into Test cricket folklore.

09:23 AM GMT

OVER 37: ENGLAND 166-5 (Stokes 14 Foakes 1)

Stokes survives an LBW appeal after pushing defensively outside the line at Kuldeep. Too high and possibly missing leg, but it was a lovely bit of bowling.

Stokes muscles a long hop for four, then inside-edges a flight delivery to safety on the leg side. This is a good contest between a wristspinner and a batsman who can bend cricket matches to his will.

09:19 AM GMT

OVER 36: ENGLAND 159-5 (Stokes 8 Foakes 0)

A wicket maiden for Bumrah, whose average drops to 20.58. That’s better than Marshall, Lillee, Wasim, McGrath, Steyn, Ambrose, Holding, Trueman and the rest.

Jonny Bairstow stomps off after being dismissed by Jasprit Bumrah
Jonny Bairstow stomps off after being dismissed by Jasprit Bumrah - Dibyangshu Sarkar/AFP

09:16 AM GMT

Wicket!

Bairstow c Gill b Bumrah 25 Jasprit Bumrah is too good for England. Too fast, too smart, too skilful, too much. Bairstow, who had been lining him up better than anyone in the middle order, is tempted to chase a reverse outswinger and edges to first slip. Gill crouches to take a very good low catch.

Since lunch, when the ball started reversing, Bumrah has figures of 5.4-3-3-3. That’s obscene. FOW: 159/5

09:13 AM GMT

OVER 35: ENGLAND 159-4 (Bairstow 25 Stokes 8)

Ashwin has an outstanding record against Stokes, but for now Kuldeep will continue. Stokes top-edges a slog-sweep that lands safely and brings three runs. England trail by 237.

09:09 AM GMT

OVER 34: ENGLAND 155/4 (Bairstow 24 Stokes 5)

Bumrah starts with a challenging maiden to Bairstow, who had to play at pretty much every delivery. He missed one and was hit on the pad, but it was far too high for LBW.

09:03 AM GMT

Evening session

The players are back on the field. There are 36 overs remaining, and Jasprit Bumrah will bowl the first of them.

08:59 AM GMT

Tea report

A second spectacular spell of old-ball bowling from Jasprit Bumrah swung the second Test India’s way on the afternoon of day two in Visakhapatnam.

Bumrah produced a superb spell of reverse swing before England fought back in Hyderabad, but this one was perhaps even better. He picked up the wicket of Joe Root – for the eighth time in Test cricket – then the in-form Ollie Pope, whose stumps were splattered by a brutal reverse-swinging yorker. The spell lasted just four overs, but featured two wickets, two maidens, and just three runs.

It came as part of an England collapse of three for 26, sparked by the dismissal of Zak Crawley. On his 26th birthday, the Kent batsman played beautifully – even taking Bumrah for four fours in an over – but aimed a slog at the newly-introduced Axar Patel. That opened the door, which Bumrah barged through.

England had enjoyed a solid morning, snuffing out India’s final four wickets for the cost of just 60 runs, before an opening partnership of 59 between Crawley and Ben Duckett.

Bumrah stalled their progress, and at tea they were 155 for four, 241 behind India’s first innings 396.

08:52 AM GMT

Bumrah an all-time great

Those two wickets have reduced Bumrah’s Test bowling average to 20.71. In the history of Test cricket, no truly fast bowler with at least 100 wickets has as better average. The closest is probably the great Australian Alan Davidson, who took 186 wickets at 20.43, but I’m almost certain he was fast-medium.

08:46 AM GMT

Tea: England trail by 241

That was a barnstorming session, which produced 133 runs and four wickets in 27 overs. England were in an excellent position at 114/1, but Zak Crawley - who made a dominant 74 - played one shot too many and that gave an India an opening.

It was seized upon by the wonderful Jasprit Bumrah, who outthought Joe Root and demolished Ollie Pope’s stumps with a spectacular reverse-swinging yorker. England have a lot of work to do, because they won’t be chasing 300+ in the fourth innings on this pitch.

Jasprit Bumrah 1-0 Ollie Pope
Jasprit Bumrah 1-0 Ollie Pope - Mahesh Kumar A/AP

08:42 AM GMT

OVER 33: ENGLAND 155/4 (Bairstow 24 Stokes 5)

Stokes, hitherto strokeless, tears up the Big Book of Test Cricket Norms and Mores by slog-sweeping the last ball of the session, from Kuldeep, for four. That’s tea!

08:39 AM GMT

OVER 32: ENGLAND 150/4 (Bairstow 22 Stokes 1)

Mukesh looks short on confidence. His first ball beats Bairstow, but he can’t follow it up and Bairstow spanks another boundary through cover point. In three spells, Mukesh has gone for 33 from four overs.

08:34 AM GMT

Watch: Bumrah bowls Pope with classic yorker

08:34 AM GMT

OVER 31: ENGLAND 143/4 (Bairstow 16 Stokes 1)

Kuldeep replaces Patel, and Bairstow skids back to force a boundary through extra cover. Good shot. The overs at this end feel almost like an interlude between Bumrah’s overs. Or rather they did: Mukesh Kumar is about to replace him. Interesting; I’d have given Bumrah at least one more, although Mukesh should also get some reverse.

08:31 AM GMT

OVER 30: ENGLAND 138/4 (Bairstow 11 Stokes 1)

A maiden from Bumrah to Stokes, who is only interesting in absorbing the considerable pressure that India are exerting. England trail by 258.

08:25 AM GMT

OVER 29: ENGLAND 138/4 (Bairstow 11 Stokes 1)

I’m still trying to process that Bumrah delivery to Pope. I’m not sure I’ve seen such an emphatic yorkers Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram spent the English summer of 1992 violating stumps up and down the land.

The only criticism of England today is that Zak Crawley probably didn’t need to be quite so aggressive against Patel. That opened the door for Bumrah, but I suspect he’d have booted it down anyway. He is just amazing, a fast bowler of such skill, charisma and temperament that he compares to any in the game’s history.

India's players give thanks for Jasprit Bumrah
India's players give thanks for Jasprit Bumrah - Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

08:22 AM GMT

OVER 28: ENGLAND 136/4 (Bairstow 10 Stokes 0)

Bumrah’s spell after lunch reads like a Pep Guardiola formation if his team are down to 10 men: 3-1-3-2. We may yet reflect on it as the moment the series turned. He is an utter genius.

Masterful from Jasprit Bumrah to Joe Root. That wide angle to Root, veering in than nipping away, is the best way to bowl seam to him; it has caused him trouble from Pat Cummins before. It’s a little problem for England, and not just because it has them three down in Vizag. You’d think Root will need his normal volume of runs in Asia if they are to win the series.

In the last two innings he’s bowled ten balls to Root, conceded one run and dismissed him twice.

08:17 AM GMT

Wicket!

Pope b Bumrah 23 Jasprit Bumrah has detonated the stumps with an awesome yorker! England are suddenly in big trouble, and it’s all down to the genius of Bumrah. That was the dictionary definition of unplayable: it curved in sharply, sneak under Pope’s bat, uprooted middle stump and sent the leg stump flying. FOW: 136/4

Ollie Pope appears to be out
Ollie Pope appears to be out - Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

08:13 AM GMT

OVER 27: ENGLAND 134/3 (Pope 21 Bairstow 10)

Bairstow gets off the mark with an emphatic back cut for four off Patel, then drives another through extra cover. England are scoring at almost five an over, a rate that is unlikely to drop regardless of how many wickets they lose.

Who is going to make a hundred for England in this innings? Because, if nobody does, then England are going to overheat and fall behind India and lose this Test...

08:10 AM GMT

OVER 26: ENGLAND 124/3 (Pope 21 Bairstow 0)

Bairstow is greeted with a hooping yorker that hits him on the pad. India discuss a review but run out of time. It was almost certainly going down the leg side, but this is a dangerous period for England, who have lost two big wickets for 10 runs in 22 balls.

08:08 AM GMT

Wicket!

Root c Gill b Bumrah 4 Bumrah wins the battle hands down! Root, who knew he was being set up for the inswinger, instinctively felt outside off stump and edged straight to first slip. He groaned even before the ball had reached Shubman Gill, knowing Bumrah had outsmarted him for the second consecutive innings. Root’s form, 36 runs at an average of 12, is a concern for England; I’m not sure they can with this series without him somewhere near his best. FOW: 123/3

08:04 AM GMT

OVER 25: ENGLAND 123/2 (Pope 21 Root 5)

The pressure is starting to build again. Patel gets one to straighten sharply to beat Root, pushing defensively outside off stump. Root’s response is to try (and miss) a sweep. India enquire for LBW but he was almost certainly outside the line.

In other news, I heartily recommend this book, full of great writing and lovely details about the England team that has given us so much joy since May 2022.

07:55 AM GMT

OVER 24: ENGLAND 119/2 (Pope 18 Root 4)

Jasprit Bumrah, who troubled Joe Root at Hyderabad, replaces Mukesh. He’s a menace when the ball goes gunbarrel straight, never mind when it’s reversing. Pope, who still looks jittery, is beaten twice outside off stump - the second time by a delivery that bounces extravagantly.

This is really high-class cricket you know. When did England get so good?

07:53 AM GMT

OVER 23: ENGLAND 118/2 (Pope 17 Root 4)

Joe Root reverse-sweeps his second ball for four.

That was impetuous from Crawley, following another fine boundary with a heave and being caught in the ring. Still, encouraging from Crawley and an excellent base for England to build from.

07:52 AM GMT

Wicket!

Crawley c Iyer b Patel 74 A frustrating end to a terrific innings from Zak Crawley. He came down the wicket to hit the new bowler Axar Patel’s second delivery for four, tried to go again next ball and sliced the ball over backward point. Shreyas Iyer ran back towards the boundary and took a beautifully judged catch over his shoulder. That really is a terrific catch, particularly when you consider the context. FOW: 114/2

Shreyas Iyer takes a superb catch to dismiss Zak Crawley
Shreyas Iyer takes a superb catch to dismiss Zak Crawley - Manish Swarup/AP

07:46 AM GMT

OVER 22: ENGLAND 110/1 (Crawley 72 Pope 17)

To the surprise of those in the commentary box, Rohit Sharms turns to Mukesh Kumar. His first ball reverse swings back into Pope - nothing extravagant, but still a danger sign for England - and the second leads to a naively optimistic LBW shout. It was missing leg on a second set.

Another reverse inswinger from Mukesh is slightly too straight, allowing Pope to use his wrists and clip a boundary through midwicket. That brings up an increasingly assured fifty partnership.

Drinks.

07:41 AM GMT

OVER 21: ENGLAND 106/1 (Crawley 72 Pope 13)

England are handling Kuldeep with caution, Pope in particular, while they get used to his unusual threat. The upshot is that Kuldeep has very economical figures, at least in the context of this innings: 7-1-20-1. All the other bowlers have gone at at least five an over.

07:38 AM GMT

OVER 20: ENGLAND 105/1 (Crawley 72 Pope 12)

Crawley uses his reach to drive Ashwin sweetly through extra cover for four, then rocks to drive an even better boundary through the covers. He’s playing a lovely innings here, one of his best in an overseas Test. If he converts it into a century it may well become his best.

07:33 AM GMT

OVER 19: ENGLAND 95/1 (Crawley 62 Pope 12)

Very different circumstances to Zak Crawley’s only previous half-century in India: a sparkling 53 on the first morning in Ahmedabad three years ago, when England were all out for 112 and 81 on a wicket that turned viciously. That slog sweep for six off Ravichandran Ashwin encapsulates Crawley’s aggression - but it has been controlled, too.

07:30 AM GMT

OVER 18: ENGLAND 91/1 (Crawley 60 Pope 10)

Pope is beaten on the inside by a gorgeous delivery from Ashwin that turns and bounces. His response is the first reverse sweep of the innings, but he doesn’t connect properly. The pressure is building... until Crawley releases some of it with another disdainful slog-sweep for six. He’s playing very well.

07:26 AM GMT

OVER 17: ENGLAND 82/1 (Crawley 53 Pope 8)

Pope denies the impressive Kuldeep a rare maiden with a single off the last ball. He has 8 from 24 balls, Crawley 53 from 61.

07:23 AM GMT

OVER 16: ENGLAND 81/1 (Crawley 53 Pope 7)

A fine shot from Pope, who times Ashwin through the covers for his first boundary. Still no sweeps from England – possibly, as Kevin Pietersen says on commentary, because of the bounce on this pitch.

07:21 AM GMT

Watch: Crawley reaches fifty with a six

07:19 AM GMT

OVER 15: ENGLAND 75/1 (Crawley 52 Pope 2)

A quiet over from Kuldeep.

07:15 AM GMT

OVER 14: ENGLAND 74/1 (Crawley 51 Pope 2)

Pope is beaten, wafting outside off stump at Ashwin. He’s started nervously, almost as if the second innings in Hyderabad didn’t happen.

07:13 AM GMT

OVER 13: ENGLAND 72/1 (Crawley 50 Pope 1)

Zak Crawley races to a dominant half-century. He times Kuldeep down the ground for four, then cuffs a slog-sweep over midwicket for six. That’s beautifully played. Crawley had 18 from 35 balls when he was dropped by Gill; the next 32 runs took 17 deliveries.

Zak Crawley hits out in Hyderabad
Zak Crawley hits out in Hyderabad - Dibyangshu Sarkar/AFP

07:09 AM GMT

OVER 12: ENGLAND 62/1 (Crawley 40 Pope 1)

On commentary, Eoin Morgan makes the point that England haven’t played a single sweep shot yet. Pope has started skittishly, as he did in Hyderabad. He’s beaten on the outside by Ashwin, bowling round the wicket, and the ball ends up in the hands of slip after being fumbled by Bharat. India enquire for a catch but decide against a review. UltraEdge confirms it was the right decision.

07:06 AM GMT

OVER 11: ENGLAND 59/1 (Crawley 38 Pope 0)

Bharat misses a chance to stump Pope for a golden duck! He overbalanced as he missed a defensive push at Kuldeep, but Bharat fumbled the ball. I don’t think England’s top three have faced Kuldeep before, and there are definite echoes of the white-ball summer of 2018. Joe Root was England’s key man then.

07:04 AM GMT

Wicket!

Duckett c Patidar b Kuldeep Kuldeep strikes! Duckett felt warily for a flighted delivery that bounced to hit high on the bat, and Patidar took a sharp catch at silly point. That’s a very good delivery. Duckett goes for a breezy 17-ball 21 and here comes the Hyderabad hero Ollie Pope. FOW 59/1

07:01 AM GMT

OVER 10: ENG 59/0 (Crawley 38 Duckett 21)

Crawley turns Ashwin just wide of the motionless Patidar leg slip. It could easily have gone to hand; instead it went to the boundary, Crawley’s fifth in seven balls since he was dropped by Gill.

06:57 AM GMT

OVER 9: ENG 54/0 (Crawley 34 Duckett 20)

Crawley responds to that reprieve by hitting his next three balls, all from Bumrah, for four: an imperious pull through midwicket, a soft-handed steer to third man and an emphatic on-drive. That brings up another rapid fifty partnership, and Crawley ends a brilliant over with another drive down the ground for four.

I can’t imagine Bumrah has been hit for four fours in an over too often in white-ball cricket, never mind red.

06:53 AM GMT

OVER 8: ENGLAND 38/0 (Crawley 18 Duckett 20)

Crawley is dropped! He walked down the track and flicked Ashwin towards midwicket, where Gill dived to his left and put down a very tricky one-handed chance.

06:50 AM GMT

OVER 7: ENGLAND 34/0 (Crawley 16 Duckett 18)

Two singles from Bumrah’s over, which includes a slower ball that is picked and defended by Crawley. He hasn’t yet moved the new ball as much as Anderson, which is a pleasant surprise for England.

06:44 AM GMT

Afternoon session

Jasprit Bumrah will return to the attack after lunch. Here we go, here we go, here we go, here we go, this is it.

06:33 AM GMT

Nick Hoult's lunchtime report

James Anderson stirred himself for another new-ball masterclass as England put themselves in a good position on day two of the second Test.

England knocked over the last four India wickets for 60 runs, a decent effort given Yashasvi Jaiswal’s flashing blade at one end as he turned his first hundred at home into a double in only his seventh Test.

Anderson bowled for an hour unbroken, taking the vital wickets of Jaiswal and Ravichandran Ashwin, and India’s total of 396 was below par. For the second Test running, too many batsmen handed wickets to England. The next highest score after Jaiswal’s 209 was 34, batting first on a belter against three spinners with six Test caps between them. It sums up the state of Indian batting.

On previous tours, 396 would be a decent total against England. They may well implode here or an Indian bowler have a great day - but they score so quickly, and in a session can demoralise bowlers and make captains’ heads spin, that predicting what is a good score is hard. The openers knocked off 32 at 5.3 an over in half an hour before lunch.

Rehan Ahmed picked up three wickets in the first innings. Two were gifts, and India must look at how they play him, but he is exuding a confidence and demeanour that shows he believes he belongs at Test level. Not many English leg spinners have had that self-confidence so young. He is learning so much and England have invested wisely in their future.

Ben Stokes kept the faith with Shoaib Bashir as you’d expect, bowling him from one end all morning, and while he leaked a few runs he also took the last wicket. Three for 138 from 38 overs on debut is very encouraging.

Jaiswal stroked ten runs in two balls off Bashir, sweeping him for six and four to go to his double hundred, which he celebrated by holding his arms out and blowing kisses to the crowd.

It was a statement innings from a player who will dominate at home. He paid respect to Anderson, farming the strike with the tail, but was beaten on the outside edge and survived a close leg before that England reviewed in vain.

Eventually he holed out, frustrated by Anderson tying him down. Anderson’s magnificent morning performance – 8-1-17-2 – proved conclusively he is not past it. He looks fitter than ever and he produced a masterful exhibition of control and wobble seam bowling.

Yashasvi Jaiswal celebrates an exquisite double century
Yashasvi Jaiswal celebrates an exquisite double century - Manish Swarup/AP

06:05 AM GMT

OVER 6: ENGLAND 32/0 (Crawley 15 Duckett 17)

Ravichandran Ashwin sprints to the crease to ensure there will be one more over before lunch. He starts around the wicket to Crawley, who bat-pads the fifth delivery through the vacant short-leg region. That’s a promising sign for India.

Crawley pushes the last ball for a single to complete a fine session for England, who trail by 364. Crawley has 15 from 28 balls, Duckett 17 from 8. I said 17 from 8.

There’s still loads of work to do for England but they would have taken this score this morning. Yashasvi Jaiswal made a glorious 209 before falling to Jimmy Anderson, who put his Ashes horribilis to bed with a masterful new-ball spell.

Ravichandran Ashwin reacts after inducing a false stroke from Zak Crawley
Ravichandran Ashwin reacts after inducing a false stroke from Zak Crawley - Manish Swarup/AP

06:01 AM GMT

OVER 5: ENGLAND 31/0 (Crawley 14 Duckett 17)

Now then. The left-arm wristspinner Kuldeep Yadav is coming on to bowl the fifth over, probably the last before lunch. This is only his ninth Test in a seven-year period but he has a terrific record: 34 wickets at 21.55.

His second ball keeps dangerously low just outside off stump and is somehow squirted for two by Crawley. Kuldeep can be very difficult to face for the first time - remember the carnage he caused in white-ball cricket in 2018 - and Crawley eschews attacking shots in that over.

05:57 AM GMT

OVER 4: ENGLAND 28/0 (Crawley 11 Duckett 17)

At his best Mukesh bowls a very tight line to left-handers, which may cause Duckett problems. But not yet: a full delivery, only fractionally wide, is leathered through extra cover for four. That’s the first of three boundaries in the over, with a ferocious cut followed by a wristy slap through the covers. Brilliant batting.

Mukesh’s first two overs have gone for 22. We might see Ravichandran Ashwin at this end straight after lunch.

05:52 AM GMT

OVER 3: ENGLAND 16/0 (Crawley 11 Duckett 5)

Crawley softens his hands to edge/steer Bumrah between second and gully for four. He has started confidently and gets two more later in the over with a flick through square leg. England are up and running.

05:47 AM GMT

OVER 2: ENGLAND 10/0 (Crawley 5 Duckett 5)

Oof, Ben Duckett almost falls for a golden duck. He tries to cut Mukesh Kumar, is cramped for room and inside-edges just wide of leg stump for four.

Crawley also gets off the mark with a boundary - but his is deliberate, a princely clip through midwicket when Mukesh errs in line. Ten from the over.

05:43 AM GMT

OVER 1: ENGLAND 0/0 (Crawley 0 Duckett 0)

Bumrah starts with a maiden to Crawley, who left four of the first five deliveries before being beaten having a waft at the sixth. This is an awkward spell for England, with probably four more overs before lunch.

05:40 AM GMT

Here come the players

It’s time for England’s openers to face another trial by Bumrah.

India get in a huddle ahead of the England innings
India get in a huddle ahead of the England innings - Manish Swarup/AP

05:30 AM GMT

England need to bat well

Pretty tidy stuff from England this morning, to pick up the last four wickets for 60 even as Jaiswal blazed away. What sort of a score is that? Well, it feels a good effort to not let India get 400. It’s still a good surface for batting, a quick outfield, and the boundaries aren’t massive. England are in the game, but need to bat well here.

05:28 AM GMT

Wicket!

Mukesh c Root b Bashir 0 Shoaib Bashir ends the innings with his third wicket. Mukesh edged a good delivery, which bounced from round the wicket, and was beautifully caught by Root at slip. He ends his debut innings with figures of 38-1-138-3. England did extremely well to restrict India to 396, though there have been one or two signs this morning that the pitch is livening up. FOW: 396 all out

05:23 AM GMT

OVER 111: INDIA 395/9 (Kuldeep 7 Mukesh 0)

Anderson’s spell this morning was 8-1-17-2. Absurd for a 41-year-old to be doing that in this heat.

05:22 AM GMT

Wicket!

Bumrah c Root b Rehan 6 Rehan Ahmed strikes in his first over. Bumrah pushes tentatively outside off stump and is well caught by Root at slip. Nine down, one to go. FOW: 395/9

05:18 AM GMT

OVER 110: IND 391/8 (Kuldeep 7 Bumrah 2)

The largely strokeless Kuldeep helps himself to a couple when Bashir drifts a full toss onto the pads. The next ball keeps low outside off stump, a sign of things to come in the second innings. England will be desperate to at least match India’s total.

05:15 AM GMT

OVER 109: IND 389/8 (Kuldeep 5 Bumrah 2)

This is Anderson’s eighth consecutive over, the latest demonstration of his extraordinary fitness. Kuldeep is beaten twice outside off stump, the second time by an absolute jaffa. As Kevin Pietersen says on commentary, the non-striker Bumrah will love seeing the new ball do this much.

05:11 AM GMT

OVER 108: IND 387/8 (Kuldeep 4 Bumrah 1)

A quiet over from Bashir, who may not fancy his chances of picking up a four-for.

That really was a stunning innings from Jaiswal. The chief cricket correspondent and I were sat having our dinner not far from him last night and he was very popular with the punters. He’s a seriously strong-looking boy, a proper athlete. A wonderful innings to watch. We’ll be seeing a fair bit more of him in the coming years.

Ben Stokes congratulates Yashasvi Jaiswal on a marvellous 209
Ben Stokes congratulates Yashasvi Jaiswal on a marvellous 209 - Dibyangshu Sarkar/AFP

05:07 AM GMT

OVER 107: IND 383/8 (Kuldeep 1 Bumrah 0)

A wicket maiden from Anderson, whose figures continue to astound: 24-4-45-3.

Jaiswal has definitely taken Indian left handed batting to a new standard. What does he lack? Nothing against spin. Against pace, it will be nice to see him on Aussie pitches next winter. He nearly gloved a bouncer going down legside from Mark Wood in Hyderabad… otherwise he looks the complete package.

05:05 AM GMT

Wicket!

Jaiswal c Bairstow b Anderson 209 Jimmy Anderson has the last word in a fascinating contest. Jaiswal, who until now had played Anderson with respect bordering on deference, suddenly tries to blast him over the off side and is well caught in the deep by Jonny Bairstow. All the England players rush over to congratulate Jaiswal, who confirmed every lat drop of his potential with a remarkable knock: 209 from 290 balls with 19 fours and seven sixes. FOW: 383/8

05:00 AM GMT

OVER 105: INDIA 383/7 (Jaiswal 209 Kuldeep 1)

Kuldeep has a decent defence, so Jaiswal feels no need to farm the strike at this stage. As a result there’s a temporary feeling of stalemate, with only two runs from the last three overs.

Bashir has an LBW appeal turned down against Kuldeep, who was hit outside the line of off stump.

Edit: in fact he was hit in line, but it was umpire’s call on height so a review would have been unsuccessful.

04:57 AM GMT

OVER 105: INDIA 382/7 (Jaiswal 208 Kuldeep 1)

Jaiswal’s score is the fifth highest in a Test innings where nobody else has reached fifty. He needs a few more to overtake Dennis Amiss’s remarkable match-saving knock at Sabina Park 50 years ago.

  • 262* Dennis Amiss, England 432-9 v West Indies, Jamaica, 1973-74

  • 231 Dudley Nourse, South Africa 491 v Australia, Johannesburg, 1935-36

  • 226 Brian Lara, West Indies 405 v Australia, Adelaide,  2005-06

  • 216* Marvan Atapattu, Sri Lanka 428 v Zimbabwe, Bulawayo, 1999-2000

  • 208* Yashasvi Jaiswal, India 382-7 v England, Vizag, 2023-24

04:53 AM GMT

OVER 104: INDIA 381/7 (Jaiswal 207 Kuldeep 1)

With Kuldeep - who is only interested in survival - on strike, Bashir bowls his first maiden in Test cricket.

04:49 AM GMT

OVER 103: INDIA 381/7 (Jaiswal 207 Kuldeep 1)

Jaiswal edges Anderson just wide of second slip for four. Kuldeep survives a big LBW appeal later in the over, with England deciding not to review on the grounds that it probably pitched outside leg. It did.

It’s been an eventful few minutes here, with England’s great joy – and probably some humour – in dismissing Ashwin, then Jaiswal’s stunning celebration of a superb double-hundred. This has been a ridiculous innings.

04:44 AM GMT

OVER 102: INDIA 375/7 (Jaiswal 202 Kuldeep 0)

Jaiswal rushes to a double hundred by sweeping Bashir for 10 in two balls! It’s an extraordinary performance: 277 balls, 18 fours, seven sixes. He’s only the third player under 23 to make a Test 200 in the last 20 years; the others were Kraigg Brathwaite and Zak Crawley.

Yashasvi Jaiswal luxuriates in a magnificent double hundred
Yashasvi Jaiswal luxuriates in a magnificent double hundred - Stu Forster/Getty Images

04:39 AM GMT

OVER 101: INDIA 364/7 (Jaiswal 191 Kuldeep 0)

The new batsman Kuldeep is beaten by two of his first three deliveries. For a 41-year-old quick bowler in India, Anderson’s figures are preposterous: 21-3-38-2.

04:37 AM GMT

Wicket!

Ashwin c Foakes b Anderson 20 This is a masterclass from Jimmy Anderson. He has picked up the dangerous Ravichandran Ashwin with another beautiful delivery. It moved off the seam, squared Ashwin up and brushed the outside edge on its way through to Ben Foakes. Ashwin reviewed straight away, because the ball whacked the thigh pad and he didn’t realise he’d also edged it. Technology showed just a little touch. FOW 364/7

04:33 AM GMT

OVER 100: INDIA 360/6 (Jaiswal 191 Ashwin 16)

Oh, good morning. Jaiswal, who has been quiet until now, charges Bashir and carts him over mid-on for six. That takes him into the 190s. Jaiswal is 22 years old; the last Indian batsman under the age of 23 to make a Test double-century was ... Vinod Kambli, who hit two in a month against England and India back in 1992-93.

04:26 AM GMT

OVER 99: INDIA 352/6 (Jaiswal 184 Ashwin 15)

Anderson has another, less convincing LBW appeal next ball. Deep down he knew it pitched outside leg stump, and replays confirm as much. Jaiswal has responded to Anderson’s movement by batting outside his crease.

04:24 AM GMT

Jaiswal is not out!

Yep, too high. It shaped back beautifully but was just bouncing over the stumps. Anderson has bowled masterfully to Jaiswal this morning.

04:23 AM GMT

England review for LBW against Jaiswal

It was another fine delivery from Anderson, an inducker this time. It’s close but maybe too high.

Jimmy Anderson implores the umpire to give Yashasvi Jaiswal out LBW
Jimmy Anderson implores the umpire to give Yashasvi Jaiswal out LBW - Stu Forster/Getty Images

04:22 AM GMT

OVER 98: INDIA 351/6 (Jaiswal 183 Ashwin 15)

For the second time this morning, Ashwin drives Bashir sweetly to the cover boundary. He averages 41 at home to England and can be a really dangerous customer. Bashir has been slightly flat this morning and Ben Stokes must be tempted to turn to Tom Hartley.

04:18 AM GMT

OVER 97: INDIA 346/6 (Jaiswal 182 Ashwin 11)

After Ashwin takes a leg-bye, Anderson beats Jaiswal with a stunning delivery, full and moving dramatically off the seam.

He tries again next ball. This time Jaiswal nails a cover drive and Duckett makes a brilliant diving stop in the covers.

Ashwin, incidentally, is now standing a long way from Anderson at the non-striker’s end.

04:13 AM GMT

OVER 96: INDIA 344/6 (Jaiswal 181 Ashwin 11)

A quiet over from Bashir, one from it. He still hasn’t bowled a maiden, but two wickets and no maidens is better than the other way round. Now it’s time for Jimmy to bowl at his latest irritant.

Ashwin wound England – and the usually serene umpire Marais Erasmus – up last night by asking for the last over of the day not to be bowled, because it was 4.29pm and he’d had enough. He got quite a ticking off from the umpire. Well, he’s winding Jimmy Anderson up now, by standing very straight and moving around at the non-striker’s end. One thing’s for sure with Ashwin, he won’t be leaving his crease early.

04:10 AM GMT

OVER 95: INDIA 343/6 (Jaiswal 181 Ashwin 10)

Anderson takes the new ball, as predicted by Will. He stopped bowling looseners in about 2012, and his first ball is a beauty that beats Jaiswal. The second is even better, snapping off the seam to take a thick edge that doesn’t carry. A terrific start from Anderson, with some encouraging movement.

Seems smart to take the new ball straight away. India have a longer tail in this game, with Kuldeep replacing Jadeja, so one wicket and England will fancy that they are in business.

Yashasvi Jaiswal takes a single early on day two
Yashasvi Jaiswal takes a single early on day two - Dibyangshu Sarkar/AFP

04:04 AM GMT

OVER 94: INDIA 341/6 (Jaiswal 180 Ashwin 9)

Shoaib Bashir opens the bowling, still with the old ball for now. Ravichandran Ashwin, who is such a dangerous No8 in these conditions, gets the first boundary with a lovely cover drive.

We are staying in the same hotel as the teams and there was a lovely moment last night in the restaurant where the Indian side were dining (private room, not like team Telegraph.) Jaiswal posed for photos with the staff but security had to whisk him through the kitchens away from the fans standing outside the restaurant hoping for selfies. He took it in his stride, which is good because that will be his life now.

03:57 AM GMT

Should England take the new ball?

Greetings from Vizag, where it’s another warm morning. England had reason to be buoyed by the six wickets they took yesterday; it could have been one of those days that got away from them, but it was not. If they are to bowl India out, they need to get rid of Yashasvi Jaiswal, who have notice of quite how good he already is, and could still be. There is a new ball available to them, and Jimmy Anderson is warming up. I reckon he takes it immediately.

03:56 AM GMT

Tim Wigmore on James Anderson

A sign of Anderson’s frustration with his summer was the new run-up he unveiled on Friday. He quickened his run-up to create more momentum through the crease. Over the winter months, he paid to use a public running track next to Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium, working through speed drills. It was the latest emblem of Anderson’s standards and unstinting desire to improve; like Tom Brady and Serena Williams, he has refused to allow his career to be governed by the normal limits of age.

Read more...

James Anderson bowled beautifully on the first day
James Anderson bowled beautifully on the first day - Dibyangshu Sarkar/AFP

03:40 AM GMT

Geoffrey Boycott's verdict on day one

03:30 AM GMT

A big day in Vizag

Hello, good morning and welcome to Telegraph Sport’s live, over-by-over coverage of the second day of the second Test in Vizag. India will resume on 336/6 after an unusual first day in which all their batsmen got in and got out on a flat pitch. All bar one: Yashasvi Jaiswal, who for a couple of years has felt like India’s next red-ball superstar, confirmed his limitless potential with a majestic 179 not out.

Jaiswal could hurt England’s hopes of dismissing India for around 400 and then going big on a pitch that is likely to deteriorate on the last two days. Bazball-era England have made their name making improbably big scores in the second innings. In this game, first-innings runs feel like a more reliable currency.

Two of the six wickets fell to 20-year-old Shoaib Bashir, who had by far the biggest workload (28 overs) on his debut. His visa problems are so last month. “I’m just going to look back on this day and think about getting Rohit Sharma out,” he said at the close of play. “I think that’s all that matters really.

“I had no doubts at all that I’d make it here, I always knew I would get the visa. It was a bit of a hassle but we’re here now, I’ve made my debut, and that’s all that counts. I’m pretty chilled.

“It’s been a very special day. To get Rohit Sharma out, my first wicket, is an incredible feeling. I just let it all out. He’s a quality player, one of the best in the world and a great player of spin as well.”

Shoaib Bashir celebrates the wicket of Rohit Sharma
Shoaib Bashir celebrates the wicket of Rohit Sharma. - Stu Forster/Getty Images

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