India’s Ravindra Jadeja celebrates the dismissal of New Zealand’s Ish Sodhi during the first day of the third cricket test match between India and New Zealand at Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai, India, Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.(AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)
Not only did Ravindra Jadeja turn the innings around with his five-for against New Zealand on Friday — storming past the Kiwis’ lower-middle order to bundle them out at 235 — he also did so by notching another fine achievement.
With his 314th Test wicket, Jadeja has overtaken Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma to become India’s sixth-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket.
It is not merely the achievement or the esteemed company the Gujarat allrounder finds himself in, but it is the pace of his effectiveness; a fact that may have been shrouded by a recent lean patch — Jadeja went 26 innings without a five-for before Friday.
Jadeja’s career average is lower than stalwarts like Kapil Dev and Anil Kumble. He has also knocked off 300+ wickets in just 77 matches, at least 15 matches less than India’s top seven wicket-takers.
Most wickets for India in Tests
Jadeja could have been riding high on the achievement and yet another X-factor spell, but later his reactions were muted given the fact that within the last 15 minutes of the day, India dug themselves into a hole after being in a comfortable position. “Taking a five-wicket haul for India is always special. I felt good that I got wickets when team needed a breakthrough. Especially in that heat. The team did well collectively, Washy also bowled well. Everyone played their roles. We will also put an effort collectively with the bat,” he was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo after the end of play on Day 1.
“I didn’t know that (crossing Ishant and Zaheer). When a series starts, I don’t see how many wickets I have. I only see these when I’m not playing cricket and at home. Good that I’m making progress and taking wickets,” Jadeja added.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
First uploaded on: 01-11-2024 at 19:05 IST
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