"When you see the highlights of Jaiswal and KL Rahul.."- Stuart Broad heaps praise on Indian openers

England veteran Test fast bowler Stuart Broad was effusive in his praise for the Indian openers after their stellar show on day 1 of the first Test against England at Leeds, Headingley on Friday. Stuart Broad mentioned that Headingley is one such ground in England where the bowlers need to bowl on fuller lengths to find breakthrough. He was skeptical of England’s inexperienced attack but stated that they bowled better than expected. 

While praising the Indian batters, he said that every time the ball was pitched up and swinging, the Indian openers were right up to the task. They looked to score boundaries by playing exquisite drives along the ground and covering the swing nicely.  

“The England bowling attack would obviously have fancied it today, having won the toss and bowl. The reason they do that is to try and take 7-8 wickets in a day and to try and expose what you call as a young and inexperienced Test match batting line-up. It’s full of quality, we have seen that today. They have played just wonderful cricket shots. England’s whole game plan was to get up on length, challenge the drive, and try to bring the slips into play.” he said. 

“But the Indian batters didn’t miss the drive. They timed them beautifully, they played the balls late, they let it swing, and used their hands beautifully. When you see the highlights of Jaiswal and KL Rahul’s opening partnership, it looks drive, drive, and drive. It makes it look like England bowlers bowled badly but whenever it was slightly overpitched, both the openers were in such good positions to play the drive. England won’t reflect on the day, thinking we bowled terribly but you have to say the Indian batters batted beautifully.” Broad added.  

KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal laid the foundation for India’s dominant performance on day 1 of the first Test. The duo left the balls well and went for boundaries every time they were pitched up and in their arc. The duo stitched a 91-run partnership before KL Rahul departed for a well-made 42 off 78. 

Yashasvi Jaiswal carried on and scored his maiden Test hundred in England. Shubman Gill also started his captaincy stint on a bright note as he too shut his critics by smashing an outstanding hundred. At the end of the first day’s play, India had scored 393 for 3 with Rishabh Pant (65) and Shubman Gill (127) at the crease.