IND VS AUS

Jadeja happy to prove Test credentials

India Australia Cricket Ravindra Jadeja celebrates the dismissal of Australia's Pat Cummins during the third day of their fourth Test cricket match | AP

Jadeja, once mocked for his pretentious batting and one-dimensional bowling in longer format, garnered praise for his value as a crucial all-rounder

  • His bowling has gone up several notches—variations and control adding to his staple diet of bowling stump-to-stump with tremendous consistency. He did not reveal much, but simply added, “My shoulder is on auto-mode and everything is happening automatically,” patting his left shoulder

When Ravindra Jadeja came in to bat on the second day (first innings) of the series-deciding match, India was in a tight spot. He, along with wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha, steered India to safety on the third day, surviving hostile fast bowling from the Aussie pace duo of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. He helped India shut the door on almost any chance for Australia to run away with the series.

His 60 runs were worth their weight in gold; for the second time in the series, Jadeja had thwarted Australia with his bat. His bowling no less threatening.

As the long home Test season comes to an end, Jadeja, once mocked for his pretentious batting and one-dimensional bowling in longer format of the game, garnered praise for the value he brought to the team as a crucial all-rounder. The transformation has been phenomenal and leaves no room for complaint either from the team or from Jadeja himself.

Extremely satisfied with his performance in the home season, Jadeja admitted that it helped him believe that he belonged in Test cricket as well. “It is a good feeling when I am doing well in Test matches. I have played many ODIs. But this year, I have played Test matches and done well. There is self-satisfaction and now I am suitable for both formats. The confidence inherently increases and I can back myself as a longer version player.”

His bowling has gone up several notches—variations and control adding to his staple diet of bowling stump-to-stump with tremendous consistency. He did not reveal much , but simply added, “My shoulder is on auto-mode,” patting his left shoulder.

Jadeja's consistent performances with both bat and the ball has led many to tag him as the most valuable player. It is a tag that he relishes. "It feels good that I am considered as a responsible player of this team. Someone who can perform in any situation across all departments of the game. If one works hard, it is with an aim to become a valuable player. My biggest achievement, more than any award, is contributing to victory."

From being the third spinner in the side in 2012-13 season, to graduating as an equal frontline spinner alongside Ashwin in 2016-17, the turnaround has been great. The 2014-15 season was a reality check as he lost his place in the Test and ODI side due to poor form and shoulder injury. But he came roaring back in the 2016 season at home.

In the current series, Jadeja is the leading wicket taker with 25 wickets, ahead of Ashwin (21) and Umesh Yadav (17).

If this season was about Ravichandran Ashwin's bucket load of wickets—82 wickets in 13 matches at home, this season is also about the emergence of Ravindra Jadeja, the match winning all-rounder for India. In the 13 matches India has played in the 2016-17 season, Jadeja has scored 556 runs with a batting average of 42.76 and taken 71 wickets in 13 matches.

He has already unseated Ashwin as the number one Test bowler in the ICC rankings. Though ranked third in ICC's Test all-rounder rankings, he is eyeing the top spot there too. 

In Dharamsala, while describing how hard it was in the middle while succesfully trying to ward off pace and aggression, Jadeja said, “Yes, it was a tough situation as there was seam and bounce in the wicket. The fast bowlers were bowling 140 plus. It felt good that I have seen these kind of situations in Test cricket. Today, I realized what exactly people meant when they talk about challenges of Test cricket.”

In the Ranchi Test match too, Ravindra Jadej,  with his characteristic swagger, brandishing his bat in what is now his patented style, turned down a request to meet the press after helping India take the crucial first innings lead. It was not arrogance, it was not even attitude. It was simply the Ravindra 'The Warrior' Jadeja style—he was reluctant to come as he felt that it was better to let his performance speak for himself.

For someone who is all swagger and character on the field, 28-year-old Jadeja is a shy man of very few words. In his Saurashtra coach Sitanshu Kotak's words, "If Pujara talks little, this one (Jadeja) is worse—he doesnt talk at all!”

Jadeja signed off with a couple of promises. To the fans, he promised, “You will always get to see that (sword dance).” As for the Australians, who taunted him to post Instagram selfies after India loses, he retaliated. “I just told him (Mathew Wade)—once you lose and are free, we will have dinner together.”

It could well be lunch if things go according to script for India. 

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