Ravindra Jadeja equalled Kapil Dev’s record with his gritty 89 off 137 balls against England on Day 2 of the second Test in Birmingham. Ravindra Jadeja and Shubman Gill put on a 203-run stand that ensured India will get to a big total at Edgbaston as the all-rounder shut down noise around his place in the side.
Ravindra Jadeja came in to bat not in the best of form and his performances were criticised. In the last six innings before the one in Birmingham, the all-rounder had failed to register a 30-plus score with the bat, raising concerns about his spot in the squad.
When it came to the 2nd Test, Ravindra Jadeja walked in when India were in major trouble, losing Rishabh Pant and Nitish Kumar Reddy in the span of one over. The veteran’s role was to ensure India got to the end of Day 1 without a lot of trouble, and he started to take a special liking to Bashir.
Starting Day 2 on 41, started the day with a boundary and with minimum fuss, made it to his fifty. This meant that Ravindra Jadeja equalled Kapil Dev’s record and is now joint-second for most 50+ scores by an Indian in SENA Tests while batting at No. 7 or lower. Ravindra Jadeja now has 8 50-plus scores in SENA countries .
The all-rounder then continued to show his new-found form as he started to go after the England bowlers as he hit Ben Stokes for a couple of boundaries as he played second fiddle and helped out Shubman Gill to get his 150 with ease and ensure the partnership also went past the 150-run mark.
Ravindra Jadeja ensured that the scoreboard was ticking on and the strike was rotated well. One of the best moments from his knock was when England set a defensive field and Jadeja was still able to find the gap and get a boundary.
He stepped down the track to hit Bashir down the ground for a six to edge close to nineties and raise hopes of another hundred in Birmingham, having scored one the last time he came on tour. Unfortunately, those dreams were squashed as a vicious bouncer from Josh Tongue caught him off guard and the ball got the finest of knicks and went to the keeper.
Following his first innings tactics with his 8th half century in SENA countries, Ravindra Jadeja wasted no time in converting it to the 9th Half century in the second innings adding 175 valuable runs with skipper Shubman Gill in addition to his 203 association with the skipper in the first innings.
Ravindra Jadeja also contributed with 2 wickets in the final innings which was instrumental in India’s mammoth victory. Former Indian coach now commentator Ravi Shastri impressed with Jadeja’s performance defended his inclusion in the Playing XI ahead of Kuldeep Yadav.
Ravi Shastri defends Ravindra Jadeja’s inclusion in the Playing XI ahead of Kuldeep Yadav
Ravi Shastri has backed the visitors decision to include Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar ahead of Kuldeep Yadav in the ongoing 2nd Test vs England at Edgbaston. According to Ravi Shastri, the relatively flat pitches on offer in the Two tests had a big say in India’s team combination.
The visitors picked all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja in the Playing XI ahead of the left arm wrist -spinner Kuldeep Yadav fo the first Tests at Leeds. After Ravindra Jadeja failed to make an impact with his left-arm spin in India’s five wicket loss at Headingly, most experts backed Kuldeep Yadav to replace him. However India not only retained Ravindra Jadeja for the second test at Birmingham but also included off spinner Washington Sundar in the Playing XI.
During his discussion on Sky Sports which included Naseer Hussain, Michael Atherton and Dinesh Karthik, Ravi Shastri was asked about his assessment on young England off -spinner Shoaib Bashir, who has struggeled to make an impact on Indian batters in the two Tests played so far.
Without being harsh on the 21-year -old youngster, he opined that the host needs someone having better control with the ball in hand,who can also contribute with the bat. Praising India’s team selection he opined,
“When you play on these pitches in English conditions, I would definitely want a spinner who would give me control and can get me 30-40 runs. That’s why Jadeja is playing for India ahead of Kuldeep. That’s why Washington Sundar came into the side. If it’s a turning track, then the job is to take wickets. Then I am not bothered about the runs.
“Jadeja has not picked up too many. Washington Sundar, he’s not picked too many. Jadeja has over 300 wickets. It’s very difficult to judge a guy. England need a spinner who can give them control and someone who can score runs for you,” the 63-year-old former India left-arm spinner went on to add.
Shoaib Bashir has claimed eight wickets in two matches for England at an average of 59.50. As for Ravindra Jadeja, he has managed only two wickets for India but slammed twin fifties instrumental in India’s win at Edgbaston. Washington Sundar only picked up one wicket in the second Test but contributed a crucial 42 runs in the first innings.
With the series now levelled 1-1, India and England will shift bases to London to play the third Test of the series at the home of cricket – Lord’s. The match will begin on Thursday, July 10.
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