Everyone used to tell me I was a white-ball cricketer: Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja couldn’t hide his excitement after completing 300 wickets in the red-ball format during the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur. The left-arm spinner became the seventh Indian to get to the landmark. Jadeja dismissed Khaled Ahmed to touch the 300-wicket mark on September 30 (Monday).

Jadeja, who made his Test debut in 2012, was regarded as a white-ball cricketer in his early days but has now become one of India’s biggest match-winners in the five-day format. Among seven Indians who have 300-plus Test wickets, Jadeja has the second-best average (24) and strike rate (58).

"It's special when you achieve something for India. I've been playing Tests for 10 years now and finally I've reached this milestone. I've done well and I'm proud of myself,” the spin-bowling all-rounder told Star Sports at the end of day four of the second Test.

“Feeling happy and good, it's special and will forever remain with me. As a youngster, I started with white-ball cricket and everyone used to tell me I was a white-ball cricketer. But I worked hard with the red ball and finally all the hardwork has paid off.”

Also read - Ravindra Jadeja: an all-round GOAT whose legacy is already immortalised

That’s not it. Jadeja is only the 11th cricketer and the third Indian to achieve the double feat of 3000 runs and 300 wickets. The left-hander’s batting has improved immensely in the last few years. Since 2018, Jadeja has scored almost 2000 runs at an average of 42.48, studded with 13 fifties and four centuries.

“When I go for batting, I always look to give myself some time and understand the situation. I react to the ball and play my shots. We batted very well. Whatever we planned, we batted accordingly. Hopefully, we get them out as early as possible.”

Bangladesh are 26/2 in their second innings, still trailing by 26 wickets. A couple of quick wickets on day five will give India an opportunity to win the game despite two and a half days getting washed out. 

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