It was a dream game for Jayant Yadav when he took the field at Wankhede stadium last time in 2016. Jayant who went on to score 104 batting at no.9 has since gone under the radar and last represented the nation in Test match cricket in February 2017. He shared an incredible partnership with captain Virat Kohli as the pair was instrumental in guiding India to a comprehensive win against England.
"Actually I was out, I don't know at what score but I nicked the ball off Moeen Ali. But they didn't have a review remaining," the replacement said after scoring a hundred at Wankhede in 2016.
The right-arm off-break bowler was dismissed early by Ali but survived as England didn't have a review left. Ali's delivery was nicked by the batter but the appeal for caught-behind was denied by the umpire. Jayant and Kohli will have good memories from that game as both ended with triple figures.
Asked to bat second in the match England scored 400 in their first innings. India were 364 for 7 when Jayant came into bat as the team was struggling to go past England. India were not expected to have a big lead at that time, but Jayant and skipper Kohli put a staggering 241-run stand for the eighth wicket. The partnership was enough for India to take a 231-run lead as the hosts went on to win the match by an innings and 36 runs.
In the last five years, the Delhi-born spinner has represented the nation in only one match against Australia in February 2017. This comes as a great opportunity for Jayant as the doors are once again opened for him to get back in the team. Tough competition in the team has prevented him from getting into the playing XI, but this could be a perfect launching pad for him at a stadium where he has good memories.
Mohammed Siraj is also a beneficiary of the situation after Ishant Sharma was ruled out due to injury. Also, India will soon announce their squad for their upcoming South Africa as the 31-year-old is expected to be on the flight.
