Yashasvi Jaiswal and Abhimanyu Easwaran power Rest of India to 381/3 on Day 1 of Irani Cup

Rest of India began their Irani Cup campaign on a high note, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Abhimanyu Easwaran leading the charge on Day 1 against Madhya Pradesh. The duo put up a record-breaking partnership, powering their team to 381/3 at the Captain Roop Singh Stadium on Wednesday.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, playing in his maiden Irani Cup match, scored a sensational double century, becoming the star of the show.

He smashed an unbeaten 213 off 259 balls, including 30 fours and 3 sixes. This was not the first time Jaiswal had achieved this feat, having also done it on his Duleep Trophy debut.

The highest partnership ever in the Irani Cup

Jaiswal and Abhimanyu Easwaran’s partnership of 371 runs for the second wicket is the highest ever in the Irani Cup. They shredded the Madhya Pradesh bowling attack apart and dominated the game with their sublime batting skills.

Rest of India skipper Mayank Agarwal won the toss and chose to bat first on a pitch with generous grass cover. However, he fell cheaply for just 4 runs when Avesh Khan had him caught behind with a delivery that seamed away.

Abhimanyu Easwaran, on the other hand, was the aggressor in the morning session, picking six boundaries in the first hour with crisply timed flicks through the leg side. He was in fine form and played his shots with great confidence.

Jaiswal’s cautious start and his array of shots

At the other end, Jaiswal started cautiously, taking 22 balls to get off the mark. He then displayed his full array of shots, going after the spinners by stepping out to hit down the ground and using the sweep shot too effectively.

Easwaran got to his century in style, lofting Saransh over midwicket for a six. Soon, Jaiswal got to his hundred with a boundary and then took off. He played two of the best shots of the day to reach his 150, driving pacer Ankit Kushwah down the ground.

Madhya Pradesh’s missed opportunities

Madhya Pradesh had their fair share of chances but failed to capitalise on them. Yash Dubey dropped Jaiswal twice in three balls when he was on 176 and 181 off Avesh and off-spinner Shubham Sharma, respectively.

Easwaran fell after a brilliant 154 off 240 balls, including 17 fours and 2 sixes. His dismissal came after the record-breaking partnership had already put Rest of India in a strong position.

Rest of India end Day 1 on a commanding position

Despite losing two wickets in quick succession towards the end of the day, Rest of India ended Day 1 on a commanding position, with a score of 381/3. The team’s top-order batsmen had put up a formidable challenge to Madhya Pradesh, who will have their task cut out on Day 2.

Rest of India’s performance on Day 1 of the Irani Cup was nothing short of remarkable, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Abhimanyu Easwaran leading the way. Their record-breaking partnership and sensational batting display