Would’ve been amazing to score 100, but was just thinking of contributing well: Jaiswal

At stumps on Day 1, India had pinned England on the mat, leaving only a slim chance for the visiting team to make a comeback in the Hyderabad Test. The plan was to build on the innings on Day 2 and take a substantial lead to topple England, but they started playing attacking strokes. All five top-order batters were dismissed either attempting a hoick or going for the jugular.

The first culprit of the same approach was Yashasvi Jaiswal, who squandered a brilliant opportunity to score a Test century on his home Test debut. After hitting a four to Joe Root in the first over of the second day, he went for another clearance stroke, only to be caught and bowled. Does he regret that though? You bet not.

"It would have been amazing if I would have score a hundred," Jaiswal said at the post-match press conference in Hyderabad. "But what took me there was my thinking and my process to score runs and I was quite positive in my mind and I was just thinking, making sure I can build an innings. But it was good, actually.

"This is my first Test match in India and I was just thinking of contributing well and doing well for my team. When I was playing in the West Indies and South Africa, it was quite a different environment. Here also the environment is quite different. I was really enjoying all the places, of course. It is a proud and honour moment every time I go and play for my country,” the Mumbaikar added.

While England skipper Ben Stokes employed the spin bowling troika of Jack Leach, Tom Hartley, and Rehan Ahmed on Day 1, he brought Joe Root, designated as the fourth spin bowling option, in the first over of Day 2. That worked well for them, with the former England skipper striking in his very first over.

"I knew that at some stage he was going to bowl. I was prepared for him. He can bowl first over. But as I said, I was trying my best to do what I could and sometimes I can make a mistake and get out. Still, I'm learning. If I do make a mistake, I'll make sure that I try to learn from it,” Jaiswal concluded.