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Ravindra Jadeja has become the second Indian after Ravichandran Ashwin to take 50 wickets in a World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
Ravindra Jadeja is one wicket away from his third 10-wicket haul in Test cricket. (Image: AP)
Star Indian all-rounder, Ravindra Jadeja has become the second Indian after Ravichandran Ashwin to take 50 wickets in a World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. The left-arm spinner took a four-wicket haul on Day 2 of the third and final Test against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Jadeja came back to form in the final game against the Kiwis where he ran through the New Zealand middle-order by dismissing the likes of Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Ish Sodhi and Matt Henry to finish with a four-wicket haul at the end of the second day’s play.
He also improved on his wicket tally from the previous WTC cycle from 2021-2023 where he finished with 47 wickets from 13 matches.
The Saurashtra-based cricketer has been a crucial part of the Indian Test team in recent years where he has become a prolific all-rounder, with the ability to take the game away from the opposition with both ball and bat.
As a result of his exploits with the ball, India now find themselves in front with a target of XXX runs to help India redeem themselves with a win in the 3rd Test, after suffering crushing defeats in the first two games to endure their first series defeat on home soil after 12 years.
Jadeja is also the third-leading wicket-taker in the ongoing WTC cycle. Ashwin leads the wicket-taking charts with 62 wickets, followed by the Australian fast-bowler, Josh Hazlewood with 51 scalps at second position.
Jadeja’s form with the ball will be a positive sign for the Indian team as they will look forward to their next assignment after the New Zealand series. He had a stellar bowling performance in the first innings where he picked up a five-wicket haul as well. In total, he has taken nine wickets in the test and could be eyeing up his third 10-wicket haul in Tests.
The tour to Australia will be a massive clash between the top two Test sides and Jadeja’s form with the ball could be crucial as the team would hope to defend the Border-Gavaskar title on Australian soil yet again.
In the second day’s play, New Zealand registered a lead of just 143 runs. India will be confident in chasing down the target, considering the amount of time left in the Test. But India’s shortcomings against spin could be put to the test if the visitors can pull off yet another stunning performance with the ball.
