Ravindra Jadeja Calls for Improved Batting as India Prepares for Boxing Day Test
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is tied at 1-1. Team India’s star all-rounder, Ravindra Jadeja, has a warning for the top-order batters. The crucial Boxing Day Test against Australia is at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Jadeja, key in India’s rain-hit draw in Brisbane, said the top order must step up in tough conditions, like in Australia.
“Top-order runs are very important when you play outside India, especially in Australia and South Africa. When the top order doesn’t score runs, the responsibility and pressure increase on the lower order,” Jadeja said during an interaction at the MCG.
Top Order Struggles in Brisbane
India’s batting woes showed in the third Test in Brisbane. Only KL Rahul shone with a valiant 84. The rest of the top and middle order crumbled. The lower order had to salvage the innings.
Jadeja’s gritty 77 in the first innings played a crucial role in keeping India in the game. His efforts, plus a last-wicket stand by Bumrah and Deep, avoided the follow-on. So, the visitors escaped with a draw.
Looking ahead, Jadeja highlighted the importance of collective contributions from the batting unit. “Hopefully, the top-order and the middle-order do well in this Test. As a team, we need the top order to perform. If everyone contributes in the batting unit, the team will do well.” he added.
Jadeja’s Preparedness Paid Off in Brisbane
Jadeja missed the first two Tests. But, he thinks the extra time to adapt to the Australian conditions helped him. He credited his preparation for his impactful performance at the Gabba.
“I got a nice few days to understand and get used to the conditions. I was here so many days, I used to bowl and bat on the tracks here. I got more familiar with the conditions here,” Jadeja explained. “All my handwork in the nets helped me in the match and I played as per my plans.”
Jadeja’s performance in Brisbane was a stark contrast to India’s earlier matches. In those, Washington Sundar and Ravichandran Ashwin were preferred in the XI for the Perth and Adelaide Tests.
Stakes Are High for the Boxing Day Test
With the series tied at 1-1, the Boxing Day Test holds immense significance for both teams. A win in Melbourne would let India retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. They won the last two editions of the series.
“It’s good that we are 1-1 after three Tests. The next two games will be very interesting too. If we win even one Test, we’ll retain the trophy because we won the last two series.” Jadeja emphasized.
He also stressed the importance of capitalizing on the opportunity to make a decisive impact. “It’s a good opportunity to make that one good effort. We’ll see what happens in the last match but this is a very important and crucial match for us.”
With the Boxing Day Test at the MCG coming, Ravindra Jadeja has a message: the top order must rise to the occasion. With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at stake, the team’s batsmen must unite. They must beat Australia’s strong bowlers and take the series lead.
Jadeja’s great play in Brisbane, with bat and ball, makes him key for India. They aim to retain the trophy.