Veteran India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is eyeing his 300th Test wicket in the ongoing match against Bangladesh at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.
At stumps on Day 2, Jadeja mentioned that all five Indian bowlers "will be in play" when Bangladesh come to bat in their second innings of the first Test match.
Jadeja picked up two wickets in Bangladesh's first innings, taking his tally to 296 scalps in the longest format of the game. With the bat, the southpaw returned with a crucial 86-run knock, stitching a significant 199-run partnership for the seventh wicket with Ravichandran Ashwin, who scored 113.
Jadeja was on track for a century but was dismissed by Taskin Ahmed. "I got out today, but it's part and parcel of the game. Now we have to put up a good score on the board in the second innings. I am very happy with my bowling, the way I went through today. It's a good opportunity to take the 300th wicket on this ground," he told the official broadcaster after the close of play on Friday (September 20).
India bundled out Bangladesh for a paltry 149 to take a healthy first-innings lead of 227 runs. The hosts were 81 for three at stumps, extending their overall lead to 308 runs.
"First we have to bat very well, we have to put somewhere around 120-150 from hereon. We'll be in a good position and then we'll come out and bowl and try and get them out as early as possible," said Jadeja.
A total of 17 wickets fell during the second day’s play at Chepauk. The pitch offered something for the pacers even though it wasn’t overly treacherous.
"It's pretty good for batting but there's still something in the wicket for the fast bowlers. Odd ball was seaming, odd ball was swinging, it's not that easy for batters. If fast bowlers bend their back, they can take something out of the wicket."
Reflecting on his partnership with Ashwin, Jadeja said: "First of all, Ashwin doesn't need any advice. I was just talking to Ash that we are not gonna miscall or try and make errors because the wicket was so good and we both were batting very well."
"I said we'll look to take easy singles, I'll try and not make you run hard and that was the conversation between us. Well played to Ashwin, he played a brilliant knock at his home ground."
"There's something in the wicket for the fast bowler and for spinners also, odd spin and odd ball is keeping low. All the five bowlers will be in play."
