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Jadeja shines with a five-wicket haul when India’s batting stars fail to make an impact in their respective games.
Ravindra Jadeja remains as Team India’s biggest positive so far among those who took part in the Ranji Trophy.
While the Indian Test team’s batting stars put in a disappointing effort on their return to Ranji Trophy cricket, the veteran all-rounder, Ravindra Jadeja showcased his class with the ball as he returned with a fifer in Saurashtra’s first innings against Delhi at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot on Thursday.
Jadeja’s performances with the ball came as a big positive for the side when the likes of Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant all were dismissed in their respective games for single-digit scores.
After the Saurashtra skipper, Jayadev Unadkat got the opening wicket to dismiss Arpit Rana in the first over, Jadeja managed to strike in the 10th over, catching the batter between the pads. The pair of Yash Dhull and the Delhi skipper, Ayush Badoni looked to mount together a resistance to fight back against Saurashtra’s brilliant start, but Jadeja once again showed his class by breaking the partnership and Dhull missing out on his fifty.
It did not take long for Rishabh Pant to take the spotlight upon his arrival, but his time in the middle was shortlived as Jadeja once again spun his web, getting rid of the wicketkeeper-batter for just 1 run off 10 deliveries. The 36-year-old also made sure to not let Ayush Badoni get away with a big innings as he was dismissed on 60 to give Jadeja his fourth wicket.
Delhi’s innings came to an end with Jadeja taking the final wicket to dismiss Navdeep Saini for a first-ball duck, to mark his five-wicket haul.
Through the years Jadeja has been one of India’s major reasons for their success at home and away, particularly in the longest format. But of late, since the side’s defeat to New Zealand on home soil along with their series defeat to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, questions have been asked of several senior members within the side.
Jadeja’s fifer will be a big positive to make his case for the side and consistent performances will make it only a matter of time until he cements his name in the history books. But for now, he will focus on the batting side of things in the second innings.
