Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra lauded Ravindra Jadeja for playing a masterclass knock in the postponed Test match against England at Edgbaston, Birmingham. Jadeja scored his first century in English conditions, scoring a fine knock of 104 runs in the first innings.
Jadeja took a backseat when Rishabh Pant played aggressively on the Test match’s opening day. The left-handed duo had added 222 runs for the sixth wicket alliance, which is India’s highest stand against England in England.
Pant did the lion’s share of the scoring as he scored a fine knock of 146 runs. On the other hand, Jadeja batted in a traditional way as he showed all patience while batting.
The left-hander supported Pant in the significant partnership and played a second fiddle. There is no doubt that Jadeja has lifted his Test batting in the last few years and that is why he is preferred ahead of Ravichandran Ashwin in the playing XI.
Aakash Chopra said while talking on his YouTube Channel, “Let’s start with Ravindra Jadeja because Sir Jadeja has struck a century. He was the hero’s brother yesterday (on Day 1), where Rishabh Pant scored 146 runs in 110-odd balls. He (Pant) was just that rockstar.”
“When Rishabh Pant is on the ground and plays like that, you can make anyone stand at the other end – it could be Virat, Rohit or Jadeja – the limelight will be on Rishabh Pant only, because he plays like that, he is destructive.”
Jadeja is now the number one all-rounder in the ICC Test rankings. The renowned commentator reckons Jadeja is not far behind Ben Stokes as the best all-rounder in the Test format. Jadeja averages 36.76 with the bat while he averages 24.44 with the ball in the red-ball version.
“When you look at Ravindra Jadeja closely, you will find, what an all-rounder. We talk about Ben Stokes as the world’s best all-rounder at the moment but how is Jadeja behind.”
Jadeja is consistently scoring runs in the red-ball format and he has played a key role in the success of the team.
“Batting – he is continuously scoring runs, important runs and picks up a lot of wickets as well. But the way he bats, I remember the hundreds which seem to be par for the course, that’s Ravindra Jadeja, there is nothing extraordinary about it and that’s the thing that makes it special. You feel that he plays like that only and he has no problems.”
Jadeja has been a consistent performer in all three formats of the game and he will look to continue the good show.
