Sunil Gavaskar, former Indian opener and commentator feels all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been more consistent with the bat in Test cricket in the last couple of years or so because he has started to play with a batsman’s mentality.
Sunil Gavaskar made the above observation during a discussion on the Sony Sports network about the proceedings of the third day of the ongoing Boxing Day Test between India and Australia at Melbourne.
Sunil Gavaskar: Ravindra Jadeja Probably Thought He Is A Bowling All Rounder When He Batted At No. 8 Or No. 9 And Didn’t Focus In Batting
Another commentator Sanjay Manjrekar asked legendary Sunil Gavaskar about the changes he has seen in Ravindra Jadeja’s batting while adding the latter has always been a good Test bowler.
The former Indian opener responded that the southpaw was probably not giving that much attention to his batting earlier as he was coming down the order and playing more like a bowling all-rounder.
“Earlier, when he used to come to bat, he used to come at No.8 or No.9. So, at that time probably his thinking might have been that he is a bowling all-rounder. So, he did not give that much attention or focus to his batting,” said Gavaskar.
Sunil Gavaskar highlighted how Ravindra Jadeja’s elevation in the batting order in recent times has made him think like a batsman and play more responsibly while batting.
“When he used to come to the crease, he was not thinking as a batsman. But now that he is batting at No.6 or No.7 for the last one and a half years or so, he has started to approach his innings as a batsman,” added Gavaskar.
Sunil Gavaskar pointed out the additional responsibility and burden of batting higher up the order has helped Ravindra Jadeja’s cause to score the big required runs, including an unbeaten century against the West Indies in 2018 along with some scores in 80’s and 90’s in 2018-19.
“Because of that, he has been very consistent for the last one and a half years. He scored a century and reached near a hundred one other time as well,” observed Gavaskar.
Ravindra Jadeja has 1909 runs averaging 36.02 in 50 Tests with 1 ton and 14 fifties. His average was above 40 since 2016 and his average reached a peak of 62.86 in 2019.
Sunil Gavaskar: Ravindra Jadeja Is Almost Unplayable When There’s Slight Help From Pitch
Sunil Gavaskar observed there are no question marks over Ravindra Jadeja’s bowling abilities. He added the left-arm spinner is lethal on turning tracks. He has taken 214 wickets averaging 24.58.
“There are no two opinions about his bowling. If there is even a slight help from the pitch, he is almost unplayable,” said Gavaskar.
Sunil Gavaskar concluded by light-heartedly talking about Sanjay Manjrekar’s admiration for Ravindra Jadeja.
“And I know you are not only his fan but his air conditioner,” joked Gavaskar.
Sanjay Manjrekar responded that he has always been a fan of the all-rounder in the longest version of the game.
Ravindra Jadeja has grown leaps and bounds as a batsman amassing 750 runs in the fifteen Test matches he has played since the start of 2018, at an excellent average of 53.57.