Boomrah

Gaurav Joshi

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Birmingham, July 2

Ravindra Jadeja is a batsman who can bowl, not the other way around. For the initial part of his career, Jadeja was touted as a spinner first, then a batsman. In recent times, he has proved on numerous occasions his batting has become very valuable.

Jadeja’s batting stocks have been rising astronomically for the last few years and on Saturday, his first century outside India was a validation of his mastery with the willow.

Unbeaten 83 overnight, Jadeja moved swiftly to his third Test century by cutting a short ball from Matthew Potts to the point boundary. The vintage sword celebration followed and the ‘Ooooh Ravi Jadeja’ chants echoed around the Edgbaston ground.

The way he has been batting in recent times, the 100 was overdue. In the last four years, Jadeja has averaged 48.29 with the bat, second only to Rohit Sharma. During that period he amassed nine 50s and three 100s. But perhaps the most impressive facet of this is that he averages close to 40 in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia). It is a remarkable achievement, given that some of his highly fancied top-order teammates have struggled frequently. Importantly, he has managed to score in tough scenarios, as on the opening day here.

At 98/5, Jadeja showcased excellent technique against the moving ball as he and Rishabh Pant dug India out of trouble. Pant rightfully got all the accolades, but Jadeja’s valuable contribution must not be undervalued.

For a while, there has been a debate about whether India should play Jadeja or Ravichandran Ashwin in the XI. It is time to realise that Jadeja is an automatic selection, given his record with the bat, especially away from home. Jadeja’s composed innings, along with Jasprit Bumrah’s fireworks with the bat, ensured India ended with a healthy total of 416.

Rain washed out the majority of the afternoon session but not before Bumrah struck thrice with the ball. Later, Mohammed Siraj got Joe Root with a brutal delivery and Mohammed Shami sent nightwatchman Jack Leach back for 0, and at 84/4 at stumps, England have much work to do if they are to come back into the contest.