Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has praised veteran India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja for his stunning effort with the bat against England in the third Test at Lord’s. He also added that Jadeja has delivered for India on many occasions, but fell short of his partners in the end as well. He said this after Jadeja scored a fighting 61* off 181 deliveries.

On Thursday (July 17), Michael Clarke said on the Beyond 23 Cricket Podcast YouTube channel: “India can hold their head high, particularly Jadeja… Jadeja’s batting has been phenomenal, and his entire career, he’s saved India on a number of occasions. He’s won India games on a number of occasions. And 61, I think if he had somebody just hold up that other end, didn’t get out, I think he would’ve got them home.”

“Until that last dismissal, Jadeja was doing everything he could to get India home,” he further added.

However, Michael Clarke also suggested that the Indian team management should play the left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the upcoming fourth Test against England. The veteran, however, added that it would be a selection
headache for India as all-rounder Washington Sundar returned with figures of 4/22 in the second innings at Lord’s.

“I’ve said openly, I still would like to see Kuldeep Yadav in that XI. Now, I don’t know how because Washington Sundar, he bowled beautifully, made handy runs,” Michael Clarke concluded.