Jadeja's all-round brilliance keeps India alive in 5th Test

Ravindra Jadeja is having a gala time at the Oval in the fifth Test against England. After picking four wickets in the first innings, the left-arm spinner played a crucial knock of 86 runs with the bat and pushed India to 292 runs. Jadeja was India’s highest wicket-taker and also the highest run scorer in the first innings and this sterling performance enabled India to stay in the game.

Four wickets in the first innings of an overseas Test for Jadeja…a measured half century to boot. Don’t be surprised if Jadeja plays ahead of Ashwin in the first Test vs Aus. #Impressive

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 9, 2018

On the first day of the Test, England’s opening pair looked solid against Indian pacers and a threat of a big first-inning score loomed large. But Jadeja who was drafted in the team only because of an injury to India’s de facto spinner R Ashwin sent back Keaton Jennings in the 24th over. Later in the day, he trapped Ben Stokes in front of the stumps to inflict further damage to England. The Indian spinner once again came to India’s rescue on the second morning of the Test as the duo of Jos Butler and Stuart Broad pushed England towards a comfortable position.

Love the way @imjadeja plays the game … Somehow India have to find a way to play him all the time … Great skills … #ENGvIND

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) September 9, 2018

Jadeja first got rid of Broad and then found Butler’s outside edge which was caught by Ajinkya Rahane in the slips. With four wickets, Jadeja topped India’s bowling figures but he wasn’t done yet.

India despite getting a solid start was in trouble as they lost 6 wickets for just 160 runs. But Jadeja, India’s savior stitched a vital partnership with debutant Hanuma Vihari and added 77 runs for the seventh wicket. The left-hander then added 32 priceless runs with Jasprit Bumrah for the final wicket to reduce the deficit to just 42 runs.

Jadeja remained unbeaten on 86 runs and left the crease as India’s top-scorer.

This contribution by Jadeja has certainly made the fans question why was he warming the benches during the first four Tests. With one more innings to go and the pitch deteriorating quickly, Jadeja will once again fancy his chances against England batsmen.

And in no time Twitterati reacted on Jadeja’s performance.