Varun Aaron questioned Ravindra Jadeja’s bowling performance in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy’s first Test at Headingley, Leeds, on Day 5. However, the Saurashtra all-rounder received high accolades from the former India pacer after scoring an unbeaten 41 on Day 1 of the second Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Wednesday, July 2.
Varun Aaron was encouraged by Jadeja’s proactive body language, noting that the 36-year-old was looking to rotate strikes and shown positive purpose.
The cricketer-turned-commentator praised Jadeja’s aggressive attitude to England off-spinner Shoaib Bashir.
“I think Jaddu’s body language was excellent. From the start, he wanted to rotate strike, demonstrate intent, and be fluid at the crease. “He didn’t just try to grind it out ball by ball; he was actively looking to make things happen,” Aaron stated on JioHotstar.
What stood out was the way he approached Bashir. Normally, he’d play him gently, but today he took calculated chances, and that’s what counted. He ensured that the scoreboard kept moving. By the last session, India was scoring close to four runs every over, which is exactly where you want to be. “When you’re guiding the lower order, you want to be solid but also aggressive,” Ravindra Jadeja continued.
Jadeja joined skipper Shubman Gill when India was in a difficult situation, having lost five wickets and 211 runs on the board. The tourists had lost two wickets in as many overs and needed a strong partnership to save the ship. Jadeja and Gill used their expertise to help India out of their crisis, stitching an undefeated 99-run combination off 142 balls while combining caution and aggression.
India finished Day 1 at 310/5 in 85 overs after losing the toss and being asked to bat first. Jadeja remained unbeaten on 41, with Gill (114*) for company. The visitors will look to put at least a 450-plus total on the board in the first innings.
India
