Ravindra Jadeja’s 175 helps India put on 500+ run total for first time in 23 tests
Ravindra Jadeja has been in hot form in recent years, and another example of the same came in the first inning of the India vs. Sri Lanka test on Saturday.
India was already dominating at the start of the day with 350+ runs against their name. Still, the question that came to everyone’s mind was: can they make it big?
Ravindra Jadeja answered this question by a fabulous inning of 175* runs.
He came on to the pitch when his side was struggling to get a move on. Despite the contributions of Kohli and Vihari in the middle order, the Indian team required someone to drop the anchor.
Jadeja, the anchor India needed
Considering the other batsman on the crease being Rishabh Pant, Jadeja decided to do the needful. His patience and perseverance allowed Pant to play in his flamboyant manner.
Together the batters threaded a 104-run partnership before Pant was dismissed for 96 runs in the 81st over.
It was Jadeja’s moment to take center stage in the game. Although Ashwin and Yadav could bat, Jadeja was the last recognized batter with the opportunity to keep up the ante.
The left-hander didn’t fail to live up to the expectation this time around.
He kept clear objectives on his mind and negotiated the first day with Ashwin beside him. Then on the second day, both the batters went on to build on the excellent work they had put in on the first day.
Often known for their bowling partnerships, Ashwin and Jadeja showed a rare batting masterclass in Mohali.
Together the duo added 130 runs for the 7th wicket. This partnership also saw both of them going on to score their individual fifties as well.
Ashwin was looking good at 61 until a good bouncer by Lakmal undid him.
His departure brought Jayant Yadav on the crease, who couldn’t last long. And was departed for two runs. However, Jadeja managed to score his 2nd Test Hundred during this time.
Ravindra Jadeja with a blistering form
It took him only 160 deliveries to reach this milestone. But he had done it in a commanding fashion as well.
Now he was faced with the task of batting with the tail. Although Shami could hold up his end, Jadeja did not want to put it to the test and decided to take control of the situation.
The Sri Lankan bowlers had already dropped their hopes of making a recovery in the game.
Jadeja made the most of their dropped spirit to hit a quickfire run-a-ball fifty to bring up his 150.
Shami did the job of holding on to one end, while Jadeja continued to play in his unfazed manner and took India past the 570-run mark.
It was a little surprising to see India declaring the inning before Jadeja could reach a 200-run milestone. But he played a marvelous inning of 175 runs off 228 balls.
His innings included 17 fours and 3 sixes. He remained a thorn in Sri Lanka’s side throughout the inning, who couldn’t even come close to picking his wicket.
The magnitude of his brilliant batting can be judged from the fact that he was a part of 3 centurion partnerships. One with Rishabh Pant, followed by Ashwin, and later with Shami. He contributed over 70% of runs in the 9th wicket partnership.
Because of his outstanding efforts, India breached the 500-run mark in test cricket after 23 tests.
India declared the inning at 574-8. And picked four Sri Lankan wickets on the same day to prove their point of declaration.
Jadeja was among the wicket-takers as well. He dismissed Karunaratne for 28 runs.
