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IND vs SL: Ravindra Jadeja on cusp of huge Test milestone; set to join Ashwin, Kapil Dev in elusive list
Jadeja recently overtook fellow Indian Ravichandran Ashwin and West Indies' Jason Holder to top the all-rounders table with 406 rating points.
The world's top-ranked all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja put up a phenomenal show in the Test series opener in Mohali. He an unbeaten 175 and took nine wickets to headline Rohit Sharma's first Test since replacing Virat Kohli as captain in all formats earlier this year. The left-hander's match-defining knock was his best in Test cricket, and figures of 5-41 and 4-46 across both innings led to Sri Lanka getting crushed by an innings and 222 runs.
IND vs SL Live Score and Updates, 2nd Test
The 33-year-old Jadeja overtook fellow Indian Ravichandran Ashwin and West Indies' Jason Holder to top the table with 406 rating points. As the action shifts to Bengaluru for the pink-ball Test, Jadeja has a chance to add another feather to his hat.
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He picked up nine wickets in Mohali and if he repeats the feat and records nine scalps in Bengaluru, Jadeja will become the third quickest Indian to reach the landmark of 250 Test wickets. Jadeja will be playing his 59th Test when he takes the field on Saturday. Ashwin tops the list of quickest to 250 Test plucks, having achieved the landmark in just 45 matches.
Legendary Anil Kumble is second in the panel after ticking off the milestone in 55 games. Bishan Bedi (60 Tests), Harbhajan Singh (61 Tests), and Kapil Dev (65 Tests) are the next three names on the list.
Only four Indians -- Kumble, Kapil, Harbhajan, and Ashwin are currently a part of the list of players who have scored more than 2000 runs and plucked 250 or more wickets in Test cricket. Jadeja will be the fifth Indian to join the elite list.
Jadeja also flaunts an impressive record on the Bengaluru strip. In three matches, he has picked up 17 wickets at a strike rate of 20.60 and an average of 8.88. His tally of 17 wickets is the third most for him at any venue.
Jadeja has put up stellar performances since his return to the set-up after the injury lay-off. He has scored 245 runs in four games (3 T20 Internationals and one Test) and is yet to be dismissed by any Sri Lankan bowler. He has also got 11 wickets to his name, which is the best so far in the T20I and Test series between the two sides.
The Saurashtra cricketer has played 58 Tests for India since his debut in 2012, scoring 2,370 runs at an average of 36.46 and has 241 wickets including 10 five-wicket innings. The hundred in Mohali was only his second Test ton but Jadeja has already has scored three first-class triple centuries, including a best of 331, batting at number four for his state side Saurashtra.
Jadeja's impressive show also led to new skipper Rohit Sharma bracketing him among the top all-rounders in the sport. "To me he is one of the top all-rounders," Rohit told reporters after India's big Test win. Rohit also said he is keen to utilise Jadeja's batting more in the future.
"Look at the performances. In the past as well, when we played in India his contribution with the bat lower down the order and picking those crucial wickets... he seems to be adding a lot more to his game every time he plays. He's hungry to get runs and do well for the team. We all know his bowling. Everyone knows about his fielding. I hope I get the opportunity to use his batting more in the future."
