When Ravindra Jadeja rocks, India’s opponents wilt.
On several occasions in the past, when he has clicked either with the bat or the ball, the opposition has faced the music. It’s Sri Lanka’s turn now, as Jadeja’s unbeaten 175 along with a wicket so far had the visitors wobbling at the end of Day II of the first Test in Mohali.
Thanks to Jadeja, India declared their first innings having scored a mammoth 574 for 8. Thereafter, they reduced Sri Lanka to 108 for 4 at stumps on Saturday at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium.
With such a magnificent knock that was adorned with 17 boundaries and three sixes, Jadeja not just registered his second Test century and highest score in the format, but also rewrote history. He broke Kapil Dev’s 35-year-old record (163 versus Sri Lanka in Kanpur in December 1986) for the highest score by an Indian coming out to bat at No.7 or below in Test cricket.
Besides, Jadeja proved how accurate Shane Warne was with his foresightedness. The spin legend, who passed away on Friday, was spot-on in terms of tapping in to Jadeja's talent during his stint with Rajasthan Royals during the inaugural IPL in 2008.
Jadeja had just graduated from the U-19 level to be roped in by the Royals 14 years ago and waited for almost nine months for his India debut, which happened in February 2009 in an ODI versus Sri Lanka in Colombo.
Yet, Jadeja was a “rock star” for Warne, whose backing and encouragement during the initial stages of the all-rounder’s career certainly turned out to be massive for the 33 year old.
Show of authority
This innings of Jadeja also underlined his temperament and ability to shift gears at ease.
In the final session of Day I, his calming influence at the other end was critical to Rishabh Pant going ballistic and scoring almost a run-a-ball 96 to gain India the momentum. On Day II, India could well have fallen short of 500 when they were eight down for 471. But even with No.10 batsman Mohammed Shami, Jadeja managed to carve out an unbroken ninth-wicket stand of 103, taking minimum risks.
Agreed, Sri Lanka missed a second spinner badly given the nature of the surface and were a bowler down as well with Lahiru Kumara sustaining a hamstring issue.
Overall, their friendly bowling posed minimum problems to Jadeja, who attacked and defended at will. In spite of these, credit has to go to Jadeja for his excellent composure.
Ashwin support
In home Tests, Ravichandran Ashwin’s influence has always had a say ever since his debut back in late 2011. But in these conditions, he could be as good as an established batsman, something he proved again with his brisk 82-ball 61 as well during a 130-run partnership with Jadeja for the seventh wicket.
Having done his job with the bat, he went back to his usual business of troubling rival batsmen with his off-spin and variations, accounting for opener Lahiru Thirimanne and Dhananjaya de Silva.
Of course, with the amount of turn on offer from the pitch and Sri Lanka feeling the scoreboard pressure, he’s looking even more dangerous.
