IND v WI 2018: Jadeja should bat ahead of Ashwin in Australia Test series, says Ajit Agarkar

Jadeja registered his maiden Test century on Day 2 of the first Test against the West Indies in Rajkot.

Jadeja celebrates his maiden Test ton | AP

Just a month ago, India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was left out from the first four Tests against England and hadn’t played white-ball cricket for over a year. Putting all that behind him, Jadeja made a stellar comeback by scoring 86* and claiming 7 wickets in the fifth against England at The Oval.

Subsequently, he was called to replace the injured Akshar Patel at the Asia Cup in UAE. Raring to make a mark in limited-overs cricket, Jadeja picked up four wickets against Bangladesh in his first match. Later in the tournament, he played a couple of crucial knocks against Afghanistan and Bangladesh and helped India to retain the title.

Continuing his amazing run of form, Jadeja registered his maiden Test century on Day 2 of the first Test against the West Indies at the Saurashtra Cricket Stadium, Rajkot. He notched up his maiden Test hundred from 132 balls at a strike rate of 75.75. Jadeja’s knock was laced with five fours and as many sixes.

Impressed with his recent performances, former India pacer Ajit Agarkar has said that Jadeja should bat ahead of Ravichandran Ashwin during India’s tour of Australia later this year.

"Jadeja surely seems to be in better form. Got that really good innings in the last Test match in England. Batted well in the Asia Cup...at certain stages. And is maybe making a real case. It is an interesting one actually. Probably will get a clearer picture when India reach Australia as to who their first choice spinner is. Because you would think they would go with one spinner and the way Jadeja has batted in these two Tests that he played surely he is ahead of Ashwin as far as batting is considered," Agarkar told ESPNcricinfo.

"I think his approach is quite refreshing. We have kind of associated Jadeja throughout his career with playing shots and almost sometimes getting himself out prior to playing too many shots. His approach (this time) has been really good. He actually has a triple hundred in this ground in first-class cricket," he added.

This Test century was Jadeja’s first ever international ton as well. The Indian all-rounder rejoiced the feat with his trademark sword celebration as India declared their first innings at 649/9. Jadeja had scored 86 and 90 in Test cricket previously but he could never cross the hurdle in 37 Tests and 140 ODIs that he has featured in.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 06 Oct, 2018

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