BGT 2024: “We need the top order to perform,” Ravindra Jadeja’s stern reminder to star batters ahead of 4th Test

Jadeja interacted with the media at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday.

By Salman Anjum - 21 Dec, 2024

India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja addressed the media at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Saturday (December 21), ahead of the traditional Boxing Day Test against Australia starting December 26.

During the interaction, Jadeja didn’t filter his words as he called for an improved batting performance from India’s top-order in the fourth and penultimate Test.

Jadeja played a gritty knock of 77 during the third Test against Australia at the Gabba, helping India draw the rain-marred game.

"Top-order runs are very important when you play outside India, especially in Australia and South Africa. When the top order doesn't score runs, the responsibility and pressure increase on the lower order," Jadeja told reporters at the MCG.

"Hopefully, the top-order and the middle-order do well in this Test. As a team, we need the top order to perform. If everyone contributes in the batting unit, the team will do well."

India's top-order failed to make a mark in Brisbane, except for KL Rahul, who produced a valiant knock of 84. The rest of the top and middle order crumbled, but Jadeja, playing his first match of the tour, kept India in hunt after Australia piled up 445 in their first innings.

Indian eventually managed to avoid the follow-on thanks to the 47-run stand for the last wicket between Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep.

While Washington Sundar was preferred in the series opener at Perth, Ravichandran Ashwin featured in the second Test at the Adelaide Oval.

Jadeja said missing the first two Tests worked to his advantage as it allowed him to acclimatize to the Australian conditions.

"I got a nice few days to understand and get used to the conditions. I was here so many days, I used to bowl and bat on the tracks here. I got more familiar with the conditions here," he said. "All my handwork in the nets helped me in the match and I played as per my plans."

India had registered a thumping 295-run victory at Perth, while Australia bounced back with a 10-wicket win in the pink-ball Test.

The BGT is currently tied at 1-1 and India need just one win in the remaining two games to retain the coveted trophy.

"It's good that we are 1-1 after three Tests. The next two games will be very interesting too. If we win even one Test, we'll retain the trophy because we won the last two series.

"It's a good opportunity to make that one good effort. We'll see what happens in the last match but this is a very important and crucial match for us."

(With PTI Inputs)

By Salman Anjum - 21 Dec, 2024

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