Team India posted an incredible 434-run win over England on Sunday in the third Test at Rajkot to earn a 2-1 lead in the ongoing five-match Test series.
Hometown hero Ravindra Jadeja, who came up with a ton in the first innings and picked up a five-wicket haul in the second to bundle out the visitors, came up big in the game that also witnessed a spectacular double-century off the bat of young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Reflecting on the crucial partnership the star all-rounder put up alongside skipper Rohit Sharma in the first innings after India were reeling at 33 runs for the loss of three wickets on opening day, Jadeja said he looked to play to his strengths.
“I was just looking to build partnerships with Rohit, we were in a difficult situation, look to back my strengths, play my shots, not try and be more conscious. Watch the ball and play the ball,” the southpaw said.
He suggested that his familiarity with the wicket also helped and the toss swinging their way also aided the hosts in the historic triumph.
“I know about this wicket, if we bat first, it is always good to bat on, in the second half it starts spinning, when Rohit won the toss, we were thinking: this is all that we wanted, bat first, bowl second,” the 35-year-old opined.
Jadeja’s five wickets in the second innings of Ollie Pope, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Ben Foakes and Mark Wood, also picked up two dismissals in the first innings as India picked up a huge lead ahead of Jaiswal’s batting masterclass.
“On this wicket, you won’t get easy wickets, you have to work hard for it. You need to throw balls in good areas, you have to earn your wickets,” the all-rounder concluded.
The fourth Test is scheduled to be played at the JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi on the 23rd of this month.
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