\u201cStanding on the crease in a five-day match is a big thing \u2014 and that\u2019s something today\u2019s players must learn, especially after playing T20s and ODIs,\u201d Yograj Singh told IANS in an interview on Wednesday. \u201cToday, KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal have shown that discipline.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India, inserted into bat by Ben Stokes, went into lunch at 78 for no loss in 26 overs, unscathed and growing in confidence. Rahul remained unbeaten on 40 off 82 balls, calm and composed, while Jaiswal curbed his natural aggression to score 36 not out off 74 deliveries. It was the sort of session Test purists would approve of \u2014 hard-fought, patient, and attritional.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
England\u2019s bowlers found plenty of movement and bounce, but Rahul and Jaiswal left with precision and defended with clarity. \u201cI think KL Rahul has improved a lot. His head-on coordination is very good,\u201d Yograj observed. \u201cAnd Jaiswal has corrected a major flaw \u2014 his tendency to play hook and pull shots with a falling shoulder. Today, his batting looked solid.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Chris Woakes beat Jaiswal\u2019s outside edge multiple times but couldn\u2019t find the breakthrough. Jaiswal, in turn, managed to squeeze out three boundaries off Woakes, while Rahul found the fence twice. When Brydon Carse entered the attack, Rahul cut him for two boundaries, and Jaiswal pierced the gap between the third slip and gully.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rahul also crossed the 400-run mark in the series and took on the lion\u2019s share of Jofra Archer\u2019s fiery spell \u2014 a significant detail given Archer had dismissed Jaiswal in both innings at Lord\u2019s. Jaiswal got a touch of fortune when an outside edge off Archer raced past slip, and later brought the Old Trafford crowd to life by upper-cutting Ben Stokes for six.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
For Yograj Singh, the early resistance from the Indian openers was not just admirable \u2014 it was emblematic of how India's red-ball blueprint should evolve. Drawing from his own playing days, he recalled a turning point in his career. \u201cOur captain told me, \u2018You shouldn\u2019t be batting at No. 7 when you\u2019re scoring 70s and 80s.\u2019 I opened and made 137. Sometimes, you need to back your instincts and promote such players.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With that in mind, Yograj believes India should consider a reshuffle in their top-order strategy, particularly with someone like Ravindra Jadeja in form. \u201cJadeja can be your No. 3, No. 4 or No. 5. He\u2019s in good form \u2014 give him that responsibility.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
For Yograj Singh, the early resistance from the Indian openers was not just admirable \u2014 it was emblematic of how India's red-ball blueprint should evolve. Drawing from his own playing days, he recalled a turning point in his career. \u201cOur captain told me, \u2018You shouldn\u2019t be batting at No. 7 when you\u2019re scoring 70s and 80s.\u2019 I opened and made 137. Sometimes, you need to back your instincts and promote such players.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Indeed, India\u2019s lower order has bailed the team out on many occasions in recent years. Yograj stressed that consistent practice is the key. \u201cYou need to convert your bowlers into all-rounders. Give them time with the bat \u2014 throw them on the bowling machine. Let batters bowl to bowlers. Create that culture in the nets.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n