Team India’s disappointing start tot he 2-match Test series against South Africa called for some change to take place before Rohit Sharma and co. step on the field again.
The change could come in the form of India’s star spinner Ravindra Jadeja who missed out on the 1st Test due to a late injury and is likely to come back for the 2nd Test starting on January 3.
Jadeja was ruled out on December 26, the morning of the Boxing Day Test due to a ‘lower back spasm’.
However, the question that comes to the mind is that whether Jadeja would be able to lift Team India’s spirits which seemed to be dampened throughout the course of the 1st Test or not.
With India failing to impress both with bat and ball at Centurion, no one player could be able to turn the tide in India’s favour as it has to be a collective performance which could help the visitors level the series.
Most international wickets in 2023 Sir Ravindra Jadeja 🛐 pic.twitter.com/mzeCVd4wlH
— 𝐒𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐲𝐚𝐬𝐌𝐒𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐧™ (@Itzshreyas07) December 29, 2023
Team India batters were dominated by the Protea pacers in the 1st Test on what was a tricky Centurion pitch. Nandre Burger and Kagiso Rabada starred in the Test, with Rabada picking up his 14th 5-wicket haul in the process as well.
Numbers vs SA
Ravindra Jadeja has been nothing short of impressive against South Africa in Test cricket, with the 35-year-old picking up 42wickets in 8 matches from 2013-2019. Jadeja is known to produce match winning moments in pressure situations and will be looked at if he features for Team India in the upcoming Test.
Jadeja’s Amazing Feat
Ravindra Jadeja had a year to remember as the all-rounder ended up with the tag of the leading wicket taker in the calendar year, ending up with 66 scalps to his name.
Jadeja has beaten the likes of Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav and Mohd Shami to achieve the feat and did so in just 35 matches. India’s Kuldeep Yadav finished in second place with 63 wickets in 39 games.
