Was it a tough day for West Indies as Reifer praises Jaiswal's century?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Floyd Reifer acknowledged the challenges faced by the West Indies on Day 1.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal scored an impressive unbeaten 173.
- The West Indies bowlers showed discipline but struggled to take wickets.
- Reifer emphasized the importance of consistency and learning from the experience.
- Jayden Seales stepped up as a key bowler in the absence of senior players.
New Delhi, Oct 10 (NationPress) West Indies assistant coach Floyd Reifer recognized that his team encountered a difficult first day during the second and final Test against India at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. In addition, Reifer, a former West Indies captain, praised Yashasvi Jaiswal for his remarkable unbeaten score of 173, assisting the hosts in reaching 318/2 at stumps.
On a typical slow Kotla pitch, the West Indies bowlers showed discipline in parts, not conceding any extras throughout the day and maintaining an impressive over rate. However, only spinner Jomel Warrican managed to take wickets in the 90 overs on Day 1. With India firmly in command, the West Indies require a concerted effort on day two to regain their footing in the match.
“Indeed, it was a challenging day. If you come to India, luck plays a role. Today was tough for us all. Jaiswal batted exceptionally well. Clearly, he stayed not out, showcasing his skill. In matches like these, especially in India, it’s crucial for our bowlers to take wickets,”
stated Reifer in the post-day press conference on Friday. “They have the chance to learn how to bowl consistently for longer stretches. I believe they held up well today, but Jaiswal's batting was impressive. Tomorrow, we have the opportunity to take some wickets with the new ball.”
India dominated all three sessions, with Jaiswal anchoring the innings and B Sai Sudharsan contributing a composed 87. “He played well, managing to bat through the entire day, which was a significant advantage. His shot selection against our bowlers was quite impressive.”
“The pitch was excellent today. It’s different from the last pitch we faced on days one and two. This one appears flatter and more conducive to batting. Overall, Jaiswal executed a very commendable innings today,”
Reifer remarked regarding Jaiswal.
Warrican took two wickets with contrasting results – one that spun KL Rahul nearly eight degrees away and another that sharply dismissed Sudharsan.
“One or two deliveries were unexpected in terms of spin on the pitch. However, as we progress to day three, the pitch might turn more. We need to deliver more wicket-taking balls, that’s true,”
he added.
“On a good pitch, bowling faster becomes a challenge regarding consistency. However, he bowled well, and we must ensure that our lines and lengths are precise at all times,”
Reifer concluded.
With Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph absent, Jayden Seales needed to step up as the primary fast bowler, and Reifer explained how the young player can benefit from his first Test tour of India.
“This is Jayden’s initial Test appearance in India, and I think he bowled effectively in the match. He maintained good lines and lengths. Losing Alzarri and Shamar is a significant blow to our bowling synergy.”
“I am confident he will gain invaluable experience playing in India. It’s essential for him to bowl effectively on flatter wickets. Consistency in lines and lengths remains our priority,”
he concluded.