Stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane highly praised star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja for his improved batting abilities.
Ajinkya Rahane, on Wednesday, acknowledged dashing All-rounder, Ravindra Jadeja’s, handful contribution in the longest format and said the former has actually improved a lot as a batsman.
After missing the first Test due to a hamstring injury and concussion, the star all-rounder came back for the second Test and made an immediate impact. Ravindra Jadeja scored 57 runs with the bat and stitched an important 121-run partnership with skipper Ajinkya Rahane.
Prior to his batting, the all-rounder claimed three crucial wickets with the ball and took two catches in the outfield as well.
"Jadeja has been really good, he has been doing really well for us in Test cricket, especially with the bat. His bowling – we all know he can contribute," Rahane said during a virtual press conference.
Stand-in Skipper, Ajinkya Rahane said that the inclusion of an all-rounder in the playing XI has helped to maintain balance in the team.
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"As a batsman, Jadeja has improved a lot and that's a massive thing from the team's perspective when you know you're number seven can contribute with the bat, you know a good score can be achieved.
"You can see him in the field as well, he has taken brilliant catches and his addition to the team helped us a lot," he added.
Ravindra Jadeja has grown leaps and bounds as a batsman in the last couple of years. He has amassed 750 runs in the fifteen Test matches he has played since the start of 2018, at an excellent average of 53.57.
Over this week, there have been reports regarding India not being in favor of playing the fourth Test at Brisbane due to harder quarantine protocols.
However, Rahane clarified that the side is not at all annoyed and a call will be taken by the BCCI. Both the Indian and Australian teams moved to Sydney on Monday after every member of their respective contingent tested negative for COVID-19.
India had leveled the four-match series against Australia after securing an eight-wicket win in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
(ANI inputs)
