Ravindra Jadeja is a versatile cricketer who stands out during his matches. He plays aggressively and holds the record as the only Indian player to score three triple centuries in first-class cricket. His batting averages over 44 in first-class matches and around 31 in List ‘A’ games.
Despite batting at positions 8 or 9 in the team, Jadeja’s batting skills are often overlooked. He has shown immense talent with the bat and has played some outstanding innings in his career.
Let’s recall some of Jadeja’s finest performances in international cricket.
5. 78 vs England, Kennington Oval – 2011 (3rd ODI)
After missing a chance to play in the World Cup, Ravindra Jadeja returned to the ODI team for India’s tour of England in 2011. Despite losing all Tests and a close second ODI, India aimed for their first win.
India, batting first, struggled early, reaching 57/5 in the 19th over. Jadeja, in his first match of the series, partnered with captain MS Dhoni. They focused on staying at the crease after the tough start.
Jadeja and Dhoni (scoring 69) batted well, ensuring India completed their 50 overs and set a competitive total of 234. Jadeja scored 78 runs from 89 balls, stabilizing the innings before accelerating towards the end.
He also bowled tightly, taking 2 wickets for 42 runs. Despite rain interruptions leading to a Duckworth-Lewis loss for India, Jadeja was named Man of the Match for his excellent all-round performance.
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4. 63 vs Australia, Dharamsala – 2017 (4th Test)
The India-Australia series earlier this year was one of the most closely contested series in recent times. After a whopping 333 run-defeat in Pune, India did very well to earn a come-from-behind victory in Bangalore to square off the series 1-1. The Ranchi Test saw an exciting draw unfold. When both teams moved to Dharamsala for the final Test of the season, there was optimism in both camps.
Australia won the toss and batted first on a track which offered nice pace and bounce. On the back of skipper Steven Smith’s third ton of the series, Australia managed to score 300 in their first innings. India, in reply, were reeling at 221/6 when Ravindra Jadeja walked out to bat. He had had a poor start to the series with 10 runs in 4 innings before scoring an unbeaten 54 in the third Test to roar back into form.
Nathan Lyon and Pat Cummins were bowling beautifully and any sort of lead on that pitch would’ve been handy. Jadeja along with Saha (31) put his head down and played superbly to help India gain a useful 32-run lead. Jadeja scored 63 with 4 fours and 4 sixes. He attacked the spinners and didn’t let them settle. He played the pacers brilliantly as well.
His 63 helped India reach 332 in their first innings. Eventually, India bowled Australia out for 137 in the second outing and chased down 106 with ease to seal the series 2-1. Jadeja was adjudged the Player of Match and Player of the series for his stellar performances with both bat and ball.
3. 90 vs England, Mohali – 2016 (3rd Test)
Ravindra Jadeja is famous for his aggressive batting style, but in this match, he displayed a different approach. After a draw in the first Test in Rajkot, India took a 1-0 lead in Vishakhapatnam.
Despite losing the toss and having to field first on a good batting pitch, India’s bowlers performed well, dismissing England for 283. In response, India struggled at 204/6 as their top-order batsmen failed to convert starts. Jadeja and Ashwin came together aiming to close in on England’s score.
England hoped to quickly dismiss India’s lower-order and gain a lead, but Jadeja, Ashwin, and Jayant Yadav showed resilience, helping India reach a strong position. India ended their innings at 417, leading by 134 runs.
Jadeja’s batting was impressive. He showed discipline and patience throughout, although he lost patience when nearing 90 runs. This innings revealed another side of Ravindra Jadeja as a Test batsman.
2. 66* vs New Zealand, Auckland – 2014 (3rd ODI)
This is perhaps Jadeja’s best knock in limited-overs cricket. India fell marginally short in run chases in the first two ODIs. Being 2-0 down and chasing 315 to stay alive in the series, India needed solid performances at the top and a couple of good partnerships.
However, none of that happened as India slipped to 184/6 in the 36th over. And with MS Dhoni (who scored 50) gone, the game looked dead and buried. Jadeja (demoted to No. 8 after a string of poor scores) joined Ashwin in the middle with 130 runs to get in about 14 overs.
The way Jadeja and Ashwin (65) counter-attacked was brilliant. They forged a brilliant 85-run partnership for the 7th wicket as they took India closer. With Ashwin gone and India still needing 46 in 5 overs, Jadeja took the responsibility of taking the game deep. He started farming the strike but still lost partners at the other end.
With one wicket in hand and 18 runs to get off the final over, Jadeja brought it down to 12 off 3. At that moment, Kiwis would’ve fancied their chances. But Jadeja had other plans. He struck a four and a six to bring it down to 2 off the final ball. However, he could manage only a single to help India tie the game and kept the series alive. Jadeja finished with a superb 45-ball 66 and was awarded the Player of the Match.
1. 68 vs England, Lord’s – 2014 (2nd Test)
Many people remember this Test match for different reasons. One big reason was Jadeja’s amazing performance. After India scored 295 runs in their first innings, England took a 24-run lead by scoring 319.
In the second innings, India was struggling at 203/6 (which soon became 235/7) when Jadeja came to bat. What happened next was incredible. Jadeja aggressively attacked the English bowlers, scoring 68 runs off just 57 balls. His quick runs helped India reach 342, setting England a target of 319 to win.
Jadeja’s aggressive batting turned the game around for India. He also bowled exceptionally well, taking 7 wickets for 74 runs in England’s innings. This outstanding performance led India to a famous victory, their first Test win at Lord’s in 28 years, with Jadeja’s batting in the second innings laying the foundation for the win.
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