Watch: Jayant Yadav gaps a drive through the legs of silly point

Jayant Yadav is just 3 Tests old but has already earned a reputation of not just being an off-spinner but a batsman who values his wicket. After batting with a lot of responsibility in the previous knocks, he topped it all up with a brilliant century today. In only his 3rd Test the India No.8 scored his maiden Test ton and has enhanced his reputation to an extent where he will continue to be in the scheme of things of the Indian team at least for the rest of the home season.

He had resumed the 4th day on 30 with skipper Virat Kohli at the other end nearing 150. Jayant was business right from the start of the day and played some aggressive cricket. The intent from the Indians was clear; they were not there to spend time on the crease but to score as many runs as quickly as possible. They were already in lead and so taking calculated risks was a preferable option.

He came hard at the English pacers as well as spinners and played some crunchy drives, he left no opportunity of scoring pass by. When Alastair Cook brought fielders in, he cut through the gaps and scored boundaries, sometimes took the areal route to defy Cook’s field and strategy. On one particular delivery from Moeen Ali the first ball of the 157th over he reached forward to the pitch of the ball and drove it on the off side.

Ali had a fielder placed at silly point for the bat pad but he was a spectator here as the ball smoothed through from between his legs as the shoulders of the English players dropped further. Team India had scored 522 runs at that point and went on to conclude their innings on 631. Jayant after scoring his hundred was dismissed by Adil Rashid on 104.

Watch: Jayant Yadav gaps a drive through the legs of silly point: