India Stages Comeback Victory in Visakhapatnam, Dravid Praises Jaiswal and Bumrah

Visakhapatnam: After a shaky start to the five-match series against England, India bounced back in emphatic fashion, securing a 106-run victory in the second Test at Visakhapatnam. Head coach Rahul Dravid highlighted the contributions of young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah as key factors in the win, which squares the series 1-1.

Jaiswal's Double Ton Sets the Stage: Dravid showered praise on Jaiswal, whose magnificent 209 in the first innings provided India with a crucial platform. "Yashasvi's innings was simply brilliant," Dravid said. "He played with tremendous maturity and responsibility, giving us a strong foundation to build upon."

Bumrah's Fiery Spells Put India in Control: The head coach also lauded Bumrah's impactful bowling spells, particularly in the early stages of the match. "Jasprit was outstanding, especially on the first two days," Dravid remarked. "His pace and accuracy kept the pressure on England and helped us gain a crucial 140-run lead."

Team Effort Seals the Deal: While acknowledging the individual brilliance of Jaiswal and Bumrah, Dravid emphasized the collective effort displayed by the team, particularly on days three and four. "We needed a bit more of a team performance over those crucial days, and everyone chipped in with valuable contributions," he stated.

Room for Improvement: Despite the victory, Dravid remained realistic, acknowledging that India could have capitalized on their starts better and avoided losing crucial wickets in clusters. "We weren't truly dominating at any stage," he admitted. "We conceded good positions, especially with the bat, and left runs on the board again."

Looking Ahead: With the series hanging in the balance, Dravid emphasized the importance of learning from their mistakes and improving in the remaining matches. "We need to be more consistent and capitalize on the opportunities we create," he stated. "It's a close series, and every match will be crucial."

World Test Championship Boost: The win has propelled India to the second position in the ICC World Test Championship table, with a win percentage just behind leaders Australia. This puts them in a strong position to challenge for the prestigious title.

Final Thoughts: India's win in Visakhapatnam is a testament to their resilience and fighting spirit. While individual brilliance played a key role, the collective effort and ability to learn from their mistakes will be crucial as they look to claim the series against England.