Former England opener Nick Knight lauded India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and highlighted his all-round ability. He also said that if he made a World XI, Jadeja would be one of his early picks.
His words came after Jadeja helped captain Rohit Sharma stabilize the India innings in the ongoing 3rd Test against England in Rajkot.
Jadeja, who had missed the second Test in Vizag due to a hamstring injury, walked into bat at No. 5 when India were reeling at 33 for 3 in the first hour of the day's play. Ravindra Jadeja hit his 21st Test fifty as he stitched a 150-plus stand with captain Rohit Sharma as the two batters steered the home team out of trouble.
Jadeja got to his fifty in 97 balls as he offered firm resistance to the England bowlers, playing both spin and pace with a resolute and assured approach.
Speaking during the Lunch break, Nick Knight said he was not surprised to see Ravindra Jadeja's batting capability, adding that he would pick the Indian all-rounder in his World XI in Test cricket.
"I reckon, Jadeja is in my World XI as one of the early picks. He gives you everything, the balance that he gives to the side. Also because of his other skills, his fielding, even in Tests. He takes a great catch, more often than not. He is that sort of all-round cricketer. I don't think there are too many as good as him in the world," Nick Knight told Sports18.
Former India coach Anil Kumble said the team management rates Jadeja's batting ability highly. Jadeja loves playing at his home ground in Rajkot, where he averages 136 with more than 1,500 runs in 17 innings in first-class cricket.
"He has been brilliant. Over the last two years, he has been extremely consistent with his batting. We all knew the ability that Jaddu had. He has got a 300 on this ground in first-class cricket. He bats like a proper batter. He is not like a bowler who can bat. He is the No. 1 in the world and he has shown that. He is kind of a floater in this line-up to negate the spin and he has done that here today. We saw that in the Test Championship, so Jadeja is looked at as a proper batter," Kumble said.
Meanwhile, India are 185/3 at the tea break with Jadeja on 68* and captain Rohit Sharma on 97*, having added 152* runs for the fourth wicket.
