The second Test match between England and India at Edgbaston in Birmingham witnessed a captivating Day 1, highlighted by a fiery exchange between England captain Ben Stokes and Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal. The incident occurred during India's first innings and added significant spice to the contest.
The tension began when Jaiswal took a quick single off Stokes' bowling. Stokes seemed to have words for the young batsman, prompting a sharp response from Jaiswal: "You don't want to hear from me, come on". The verbal exchange continued, becoming a major talking point among fans and experts.
According to reports, the incident unfolded in the 19th over. After Jaiswal hit Stokes for a boundary, he tapped the next ball softly and ran for a single. As he passed Stokes, the England captain made a remark. Jaiswal retorted with his now well-known phrase, and Stokes responded, "You don't wanna what?" The exchange continued into the next ball, but Jaiswal then chose to walk away, diffusing the situation.
Despite the verbal sparring, Jaiswal remained unfazed and continued his impressive form. Fresh off a century in the first Test, he raced to a fluent half-century, showcasing his aggressive batting style. He took on the English attack, dispatching boundaries and putting India in a strong position.
However, Stokes ultimately had the last laugh. In the second session, Stokes dismissed Jaiswal for a well-compiled 87 runs. Stokes bowled a short and wide delivery outside off, which Jaiswal edged behind to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith. Stokes' celebration was explosive, marking a significant breakthrough for England. His passionate reaction highlighted the importance of the wicket, especially after Jaiswal's solid start.
The dismissal was a personal triumph for Stokes, who had clearly identified Jaiswal as a key target. Jaiswal's innings, which included 13 boundaries, demonstrated his growing stature in the game, even though he fell short of another century.