Preparations are in full swing for the final match of the India vs. England test series in HPCA, Dharmashala. Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja reportedly had two long batting stints at the net, ignoring pleas from the coaches and teammates.
Jadeja, who will be heading to Chennai for the IPL 2024 after the fifth test, relished his batting at the nets. When the coaches asked him to end his session, Jadeja requested “a “few more balls.”
Having taken a comfortable 3-1 lead in the series, the Indian team will look to once again show their dominance over the English side in Dharmashala. There was no lack of intensity in India’s practice session as the players tried to get accustomed to the chilly weather conditions in Himachal Pradesh.
Ravindra Jadeja was the only player in the Test XI who could play the role of a pure batter as well as a specialist bowler. He also adds the dimension of fielding to it. He was one of the rare cricketers who could excel in all three verses of the game. His presence is always crucial for the side, as a player who can notch up runs as well as trouble the batters effectively is a unique trait in modern-day cricket.
In the absence of Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, he has gone on to become India’s No. 5 batter. He showed his batting brilliance in the Rajkot test, scoring a century in the first inning and then taking up a fifer in the last inning. He is also India’s joint-highest wicket-taker, along with Jasprit Bumrah and Ashwin, with 17 wickets. Jadeja’s contribution to the Indian side has been unmatchable for the last few years.
In the ongoing test series, Jadeja is the only batter to score more than 200 runs by batting in less than six innings. He missed the second test match in Vishakhapatnam due to a hamstring injury. He is among the four batters to average more than 40 in the series. Yashasvi Jaiswal (93.57), Shubman Gill (48.85), and the England opener (41) are the other three on the list.
The Dharmashala test will be another milestone for Ravichandran Ashwin, who is at the threshold of donning his 100th test cap. He will become the 14th Indian to feature in 100 or more test matches for the country. The final test match of the series is scheduled to begin on March 7.