Talk about an all-rounder performance! Ravindra Jadeja showcased his supreme class both with the bat and ball. A stunning century in the first innings and a fifer in the last innings was enough to help India win by 434 runs. Adding more to it, Ravindra Jadeja, the hometown hero shined brightly in Rajkot got the Man of the Match award.
Jadeja received a royal welcome home. It was his second instance where he managed to slam a hundred and then scalp a fifer. Jadeja finished with 7 wickets in the match as India leads the series 2-1.
Century & 5-fer in a Test (India)
Vinoo Mankad 184 & 5/196 vs Eng Lord’s 1952
Polly Umrigar 172* & 5/107 vs WI Port of Spain 1962
R Ashwin 103& 5/156 vs WI Mumbai WS 2011
R Ashwin 113 & 7/83 vs WI North Sound 2016
R Ashwin 106 & 5/43 vs Eng Chennai 2021
Ravindra Jadeja 175* & 5/41 vs SL Mohali 2022
Ravindra Jadeja 112 & 5/41 vs SL Rajkot 2024
Ravindra Jadeja – The Raja Of Rajkot
While Yashasvi Jasiwal hammered a double ton, it was the Raja of Rajkot who hogged the limelight with his overall performances. Jadeja was crucial in triggering England’s batting collapse in the second innings. Not just a good fifer, his wickets included all the big players from the visitors.
Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Foakes and finally Mark Wood fell victims to the star all rounder. Jadeja heaped praises for skipper Rohit Sharma and how the team worked hard for the victory
“I was just looking to build partnerships with Rohit, we were in a difficult situation, look to back my strengths, play my shots, not try and be more conscious. Watch the ball and play the ball. I know about this wicket, if we bat first, it is always good to bat on, in the second half it starts spinning, when Rohit won the toss, we were thinking: this is all what we wanted, bat first bowl second. On this wicket you won’t get easy wickets, you have to work hard for it. You need to throw balls in good areas, you have to earn your wickets,” said Jadeja after the match.