Time and again, Ravindra Jadeja has come to India’s rescue
India needed a much-needed win in the fourth Test of the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy being played in England. However, the match reached a point where a win was no longer possible for India. Shubman Gill and KL Rahul did well enough to give India the stability. However, it was Jadeja’s knock along with Washington Sundar’s innings that enabled India to secure a draw, securing a chance to draw the series going into the fifth and final game.
After the departures of Rahul and Gill, Jadeja and Sundar played the match-saving innings, with Jadeja scoring 107 in 185 balls, which included 13 fours and one six at a strike rate of 57.84. This was not the first time Jadeja’s knock saved India from a defeat. He has done the act on multiple occasions, and in this article, we take a look at his recent saves.
As we examine recent acts of saving, the ongoing Test series has already showcased what Jadeja is capable of, as seen during the Birmingham Test. Reduced to 211/5 in the first innings, Jadeja scored 89 runs off 137 balls. Indeed, Shubman Gill’s 269 had a significant impact, but Jadeja’s 89 held England off, and together they secured a total of 587, which gave India a strong edge and enabled them to secure victory.
Last year, Indian cricket fans were shocked to witness the early wickets Bangladesh grabbed to dismantle India at 144 for six. That’s when Ravindra Jadeja entered the pitch and started toying with the Bangladesh bowlers. He scored a gritty 86 runs, whereas another tailender, Ravichandran Ashwin, scored 113 runs, because of which India managed a target of 376, enough to win the game.
Going back almost a decade, Ravindra Jadeja played a crucial role in India’s eight-wicket victory against England in Mohali in 2016. Chasing England’s 283 in the first innings, India got off to a decent start with 42 from Parthiv Patel, Cheteshwar Pujara’s 51, and Virat Kohli’s 62. However, none of them stayed longer, and the likes of Rahane and Nair went back to the pavilion quickly.
India needed a longer innings, and that’s when Jadeja stepped on the gas with a stable 90-run innings. Other tailenders like Ashwin and Jayant Yadav scored 72 and 55 runs, respectively, helping India post 417. India won the game by eight wickets.
Up next, India will move to the Oval in London for the fifth and final Test, a venue where Jadeja had scored 86 in 2018. However, the match ended in England's favour. Given India needs a victory in the final game to draw the series, eyes will be on Jadeja to repeat the feat he achieved in 2018 or do better. After all, the game will require all hands to contribute with the bat if India wishes to avoid a defeat.
