India all-rounder says he now feels satisfied that he is suitable across all formats
Ravindra Jadeja may continue to say that his bowling arm is now in 'auto mode' and performances are happening on its own. But the fact remains that it has been his continuous hard work and eagerness to learn new tricks that has made this 28-year-old left-armer a prized property in world cricket.
As the Day 3 commenced on Monday, Jadeja braved some hostile spell by two Australian pacers – Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins – to not only ensure that India erase the deficit but also helped his team take that vital 32-run lead in the series' deciding Test.
And mind it, this was not just the first time that Jadeja has rescued Team India by playing some attacking innings in the late order. But the fact that it came in at a juncture when hosts have been playing without regular skipper and most trusted batter Virat Kohli along with a batsman short to accommodate fifth bowler has made his contribution even more impactful.
Consistent efforts by this all-rounder throughout this home season, starting with the Kanpur Test against New Zealand, where he took five wickets in first innings for securing vital first innings lead, has taken Jadeja to No. 1 rank among Test bowlers in the ICC rankings.
Jadeja has enjoyed an impressive bowling record in the on-going home season as he has captured 71 wickets with four five-wicket hauls. His earlier image of a batsman who can bowling a bit has now completely been changed as he has now become an asset with both the bat and the ball.
"I have had a lot of good days because whenever I perform, it is for Team India," Jadeja said when asked if this was his best day in Test cricket having scored 63 crucial runs and taken three wickets. "Each performance for India is memorable as there are no easy matches for the country. Whenever you get a chance to perform, it becomes memorable for me," came the reply.
Talking about the difference between Indian and Aussie pacers on a pitch that has more bounce unlike home pitches, Jadeja observed: "There wasn't much of a difference between the two sets of fast bowlers. Their pacers were also bowling in good areas. But sometimes, good deliveries miss the edge of the bat and at times there are straight deliveries that get you the edge. Like today, it was a straight delivery that got his edge of Warner. That was a vital breakthrough."
Jadeja admitted that first innings lead of 32 under the conditions was massive. "Sometimes, even a 32-run lead is big enough with uneven bounce and the ball swinging and deviating after hitting the cracks. And if you see, they had lost three wickets before wiping off the lead, so it was crucial. There's no fear that we are on the back foot, the bowlers can then bowl with a free mind and not think about pressure. You can be bindaas," said the all-rounder.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Ravindra Jadeja")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}