The Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja played much-needed innings of 86* to lead India’s fightback against England on Day 3 of the fifth and final Test against England at The Oval, on Sunday. He wasn’t part of the Indian side in the first four Tests, has been in a sensational form. He also took four wickets in the first innings.
After the end’s of day’s play on day 3, when asked about his superb counter-attacking knock, Jadeja said the plan was to build the innings ball-by-ball. He said, “It’s all about pride whenever you represent your country. After a long time, I was playing today so I was looking to play normally – not thinking about how I’m going to play my innings, just trying to focus ball-by-ball.”
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Jadeja’s knock helped India to recover from being 160/6 at one point to reach a respectable total of 292 as they were bowled out 40 runs short of England’s first innings total. The all-rounder was ably assisted by Hanuma Vihari, who scored a half-century on debut. The duo stitched together a 77-run partnership for the seventh wicket before Vihari got out on 56. He also treated his fans with his typical sword celebration after scoring his fifty, but he rubbed off the dust from the bats before the celebration.
The sword came out of the sheath once again! ⚔
Gem of an innings this from Ravindra Jadeja! 🤩#KyaHogaIssBaar #ENGvIND LIVE on SONY SIX and SONY TEN 3. #SPNSports pic.twitter.com/W6iRles9fh
— SPN- Sports (@SPNSportsIndia) September 9, 2018
India’s hopes for a comeback in the match, however, were dampened after Alastair Cook scored an unbeaten 46 to help England build a commanding 154-run lead. This is Cook’s final international innings as he announced ahead of the match that he will retire after The Oval Test. Thirty more runs would take him past Sri Lankan Kumar Sangakkara’s 12,400 and into fifth on the all-time list in Tests.
Cook and Joe Root (29) were unbeaten as England finished Day 3 on 114/2. Jadeja said India will need to pick wickets early on Day 4 to save the Test match. He said, “I think we need to restrict England as early as possible – we need to get wickets in the first session tomorrow; around 250 is a par score.”
