The fact that India is yet to lose a Test at home since Ravindra Jadeja’s debut, speaks volumes about the all-rounder’s skills in the offering for Virat Kohli’s young and ever vibrant side. Ever since he has stepped onto the highest platform of Test cricket, India have been a force worth reckoning at home as no other side has come even close to challenging them in terrains that remain way too alien for visiting teams.
During the ongoing home season, where India play a record leveling 13 Tests, the onus was bound to be on the shoulders of Ravindra Jadeja to first ably support Ravichandran Ashwin in the bowling department and later score some priceless runs while batting with the tail. Fair to say, within just nine home Tests so far, Jadeja has done even more than that and has created a new record for India.
In the due course over the Test assignments against New Zealand, England and Bangladesh, Jadeja has created quite a unique feat for an Indian all-rounder. The Saurashtra star is now the first ever Indian to register a half-century and take a four-wicket haul in three games during a single season. No other Indian player has managed this feat more than two times. The closest any Indian can get to Jadeja in terms of this magnanimous feat is Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who did it in successive Tests against England at Nottingham and Lord’s in 2014.
Jadeja plays a very significant role in this Indian side and has been a pillar of strength for the world’s No. 1 ranked Test side. With the ball, he creates a lot of pressure with his accurate stump to stump line that prohibits the batsmen from easily milking the ones and twos. Thereby, due to the pressure created by Jadeja, Ashwin can attack right from the very offset and bowl attacking lines.
Batting wise as well, Jadeja remains crucial as he is expected to score some vital runs down the order. When the home season commenced for India in the Test at Kanpur against New Zealand, Jadeja averaged 22 with the bat, and now he averages slightly above 28. This has been a remarkable improvement for someone, who bats at No. 8 and doesn’t get to face too many deliveries.
In the Test against New Zealand at Kanpur, Jadeja played two priceless knocks of 42* and 50* to give India the edge with the bat. He even went on to take a five-wicket haul in the first innings that decimated New Zealand’s lower order and gave India a bulky lead. He was duly named the Man of the Match for the same feat.
Against England in the fifth Test at Chennai, Jadeja ably supported triple centurion Karun Nair and himself scored a rapid half-century. Along with that, he cleaned up England’s batting line-up and picked up a career best seven wickets in the second innings as India went on to win the five-match series 4-0.
Finally, in the one-off Test against Bangladesh at Hyderabad, Jadeja was in the thick of things again as a quick half-century was followed by a four-wicket haul in the second innings to end the game in India’s favor.
Half-Century And A Four-Wicket Haul In the Same Game In A Single Season:
- Jadeja vs New Zealand – Kanpur, 2016
- Jadeja vs England – Chennai, 2016
- Jadeja vs Bangladesh – Hyderabad, 2017