Team India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja applauded India skipper Shubman Gill for his stunning knock of 269 in the first innings of the ongoing Test against England at Edgbaston in Birmingham. Stating Gill as a batter who has grown [in stature], the all-rounder said that the Indian captain was unlucky as he did not look like getting out at all in the middle. Notably, Gill hit a majestic 269 off 387 balls, breaking several records along the way, hitting 30 fours and three sixes as well.

Speaking at a press conference at the end of the second day’s play, Jadeja said (via Times of India): “You didn’t see how much Shubman Gill has grown? (Laughs). Shubman scored 269 runs. He was unlucky because aaj lag nahi raha tha ki woh out hoga [it never looked like he was going to get out today]. We were actually talking about building a long partnership.”

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“I felt if I can see the new ball off, it would become easy for the rest of the innings. Luckily I could bat till lunch, and then Washi[ngton Sundar] also batted well with Shubman. The more you bat in England, the better it is because you never feel you are set in England. At any time a ball can swing and take your edge or bowl you,” he further added.

By the time Ravindra Jadeja was dismissed on Day 2 of the Birmingham Test, Team India were at 414-6. However, things were quite different when he came to bat on Day 1. England were on top, having dismissed Rishabh Pant and Nitish Reddy quickly as well.

Opening up about his knock, he said: “When you contribute with the bat for the team, it feels great, when you are playing outside India, and the team needs you more, it feels good. From 210 for 5, to put together a big partnership to take the team forward, it is a challenge. I took it as a challenge.”