The always underrated Rvindra Jadeja had received a vote of confidence from his spin predecessor Anil Kumble, after his 131-ball 72 in the first innings. For it was his batting talent that the fellow bowler believed deserved some acknowledgement.
His second innings fighting half century will be fondly remembered, no matter the result. But Kumble had gauged early – post the first innings when Jadeja’s 50 run partnership with Washington Sundar had dragged India close to 387 – and almost preordained that multi-format all-rounder might well prove decisive in the Lord’s match.
Speaking to JioHotstar after Day 2, Kumble had lavished praise on Jadeja’s batting maturity and consistency, which were on display during India’s first innings.
“He has always had the skill — we have known that for a long time — but to consistently deliver with the bat for India has been exceptional. Ravindra Jadeja offers so much, not just with the ball, but also with the bat and on the field,” Kumble would say. ‘Contributions like this are vital. He has the technique — he has scored two triple hundreds in first-class cricket, which is no mean feat,” Kumble had reminded of the batsman who has in the shortest format, helped both CSK and India to get to titles with his temperament.
He might bat lower down the order than what he ought to, and is always stitching calm partnerships with tailenders, the hardworking bowlers. Jadeja shepherded Nitish Kumar Reddy for 53 balls and Jasprit Bumrah for 54, even after the departure of the designated spinning all-rounder, Washington Sundar.
However Sundar and Jaddu had done their bit in the first innings. On the final day, facing a gargantuan task after the top order, save KL Rahul, had folded not even making it to the final days fight, it was the left hander who had faced 162 balls for his 56 runs by tea.
30 runs still remain, and those with a No 11 can look like a bridge too far. But while striking his four boundaries and 1 six, Jadeja had shaded every top order batter with his clear defense and run gathering.
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Kumble had been impressed with his 70 odd in first innings and how it was put together. “The way he builds and constructs his innings has been brilliant to watch — just like a regular batter. He has been promoted to number six in the batting order, and he has certainly justified the faith. In the last game, he made a useful contribution, and today as well, he stitched a wonderful partnership with Washington Sundar,” Kumble had said after the first innings.
30 runs adrift still, the chase will go down to the wire should Siraj and Jadeja, sword & shield manage the impossible.
