IND v ENG 2nd Test: A petulant Yashasvi misses out on second ton in as many matches

Yashasvi Jaiswal has this strange element of petulance in his character – which often forces him to turn fall guy after being on the verge of emerging a hero.

At Edgbaston on Day I of the crucial second Test on Wednesday, 2 July, the prolific opener was in sight of a second century in as many Tests — till he blew it away with a waft outside the off stump against England skipper Ben Stokes, while batting on a fluent 87.

Coming on the back of a 101 in his first innings at Headingley, the 23-year-old looked on song again during his half-century, studded with 13 boundaries. However, it seemed that the youngster was anxious to have a go at Stokes, after he slapped a delivery from the former for a boundary before lunch.

Soon after lunch, he tried to make room for a cut against Stokes and was caught behind by Jamie Smith.

Jaiswal also got in it verbally with the seasoned Stokes — much like the way he rubbed Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc the wrong way during the last Border-Gavaskar Trophy. This time, however, it was a version of mental warfare initiated by Stokes, who decided to exchange a few words with the Indian opener.

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Stokes, after being slapped tennis-style by Jaiswal for 4 in the fourth ball, brought his length back slightly in the next ball. It was also closer to the stumps, which Jaiswal tapped it with soft hands and set off for a quick single.

As he was running past Stokes, the England captain said something.

As Stokes was walking back to his mark, Jaiswal was caught on mic saying: “You don’t wanna hear it from me, come on.” Stokes turned back and asked: “You don’t wanna what?”

The exchange of words continued in the next ball.

Stokes bowled another back-of-a-length delivery and Karun Nair defended against it. Stokes, instead of going towards the ball, took a couple of steps towards Jaiswal and asked: “What were you saying?”

This time, Yashasvi decided to walk away without escalating matters. Stokes said something again, but when he saw Jaiswal walking towards the other end, he decided to go back.

No doubt there is an implosive element in Jaiswal, though – something which may have been induced by his tough years of growing up in the Mumbai maidans. Only recently, there were reports of him getting into a scrap with Mumbai skipper Ajinkya Rahane and applying for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to play for Goa next season.

However, better sense has prevailed, with Jaiswal having gone back on his decision reportedly, deciding to return to Mumbai for his next round as well.

Fingers crossed neither side is left with regrets!