India vs England: Yashasvi Jaiswal has not put a foot wrong, says R Ashwin after youngster's unbeaten 76 in first Test

Ravichandran Ashwin had words of praise for Yashasvi Jaiswal after the latter’s unbeaten knock of 76 on Day 1 of the first Test between India and England in Hyderabad, saying that the youngster “has not put a foot wrong” so far.

Replying to England’s first-innings total of 246, Jaiswal and skipper Rohit Sharma (23) forged an 80-run stand before the captain was dismissed by Jack Leach. However, Jaiswal was in aggressive mode from early on in the innings. He hit Mark Wood for a boundary in the very first ball of the innings, before hitting two sixes off Tom Hartley that followed. Jaiswal would then get to his fifty in 47 balls, hitting seven fours and two sixes.

“The start given us by Jaiswal and Rohit made us breathe a little easier. Need someone to go on and score a hundred. [Jaiswal start in Tests] He’s not put a foot wrong, playing some shots. I’m enjoying watching it!” Ashwin told broadcasters Sports18 after Day 1’s play on Thursday.

Ashwin said that a century by one of the batters would put India in the drivers seat, after Jaiswal’s unbeaten knock has set the platform. India were 119/1 at stumps on Day 1, with Jaiswal and Shubman Gill (14*) unbeaten.

“240 was a very very good competitive total. Thought 30-40 runs more than what we would have liked. Someone making a hundred tomorrow will put us in the driver’s seat.”

Ashwin said that there was some moisture in the pitch in the first innings. Ashwin, Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja combined to take eight of the 10 England wickets, whereas Bumrah collected the other two.

“It was pretty interesting in the first session, maybe there was a bit of moisture. Because of the early moisture, there was enough speed. Then it slowed down. Not enough speed to carry through to the slips,” said Ashwin.