ENG vs IND: Jaiswal Breaks Gavaskar's 49-Year-Old Record; Quickest Asian to Achieve THIS Feat

On the third day of the Birmingham Test, India were made to become defensive initially despite making early inroads. Nonetheless they fought back with the new ball and took a lead of 180 in the first innings. In the second innings, the visitors made their intentions clear scoring at almost five runs per over.

Building a Lead

At close of play, India led by 244 runs and now will want to double their lead at the very least in the next two sessions and then have a go at England in a bid to make it 1-1 at Edgbaston. India lost the first game by five wickets at Headingley and will want to draw level before the next match at Lord’s.

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New Record

One man who looked in rampage mode was Yashasvi Jaiswal. The southpaw slammed a quickfire 28 and was out after a brisk cameo. In the process, he also found a way into the history books. In fact, he broke a record that was nearly 50 years old. That record belonged to none other than Sunil Gavaskar.

Jaiswal became the fastest Asian batter to score 2000 Test runs in terms of matches. He took 21 matches to do so. Gavaskar had done it in 23 matches and held the record since 1976. The 23-year-old also became the fastest Indian to score 2000 Test runs in terms of innings but shares it with Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag. All three took 40 innings to do so.

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Overall, just five cricketers have 2000 Test runs quicker than Jaiswal by matches. Don Bradman took the least number of games (15) and next came George Headley (17) followed by Herbert Sutcliffe(22), Michael Hussey (20) and Marnus Labuschagne (20).

Jaiswal In England

Jaiswal had made 101 and four in the Leeds Test and hit 87 in the first innings here. He has made 220 runs in this series at an average of 55. Not bad but even he knows he can do much better.

Test Match Status

Earlier in the day, England resumed on 77/3 and were soon given a double blow by Mohammed Siraj who got rid of Joe Root (22) followed by Ben Stokes first ball (0). It was then that Harry Brook (158) and Jamie Smith (184*) put on 303 runs for the sixth wicket to rescue the hosts from a precarious 84/5. Siraj finished with 6/70 as England eventually made 407 in reply to India’s 587. India ended on 64/1 with two days left.

Who Will Win?

It remains to be seen what kind of target India set England as in the previous match, they could not defend a target of 371. There is the risk of declaring too early or too late and of course they may be bowled out as well. Should England manage to make it 2-0, India will be all but out of contention. If India can make it 1-1, the series is wide open. Should it remain 1-0 in England’s favour, India will still have an uphill task in the next three Tests.