The Player of the Match award that India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja received in the third Test match against England in Rajkot was dedicated to his wife Rivaba. Days after his father, Anirudhsinh, said that the cricketer started acting differently with his family after his marriage, Jadeja performed this sweet gesture.
At the newly renamed Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot, where the hosts won by an overwhelming 434 runs to take a 2-1 lead in the series, Jadeja was essential to India’s victory. The all-round player captured five wickets in the second innings after scoring a century in the first. Notably, this was India’s second victory in the series after they were unexpectedly defeated by 28 runs in the first game in Hyderabad.
This is a unique Man of the Match on my field. I want to give my wife this honor on her behalf. She has been putting in a lot of mental effort behind the scenes. In a video that the BCCI released, Jadeja stated, “She always gives me confidence.”
Days before the third Test started, Jadeja had publicly backed his wife Rivaba just hours after his father’s charges.
“The information provided in the questionable interview with Divya Bhaskar is untrue and worthless. I refute their remarks as being biased. The attempt to damage my wife’s reputation is wrong and should be condemned. I too have a lot to say, but it’s best if I keep it private,” Jadeja posted on X. (previously Twitter).
What makes a hundred and five wickets in one Test match exceptional is Ravindra Jadeja
In the third Test match, Ravindra Jadeja entered the batting when India was 33/3 and went on to create a record double-century stand with skipper Rohit Sharma (131). In addition to establishing yet another solid partnership with Sarfaraz Khan, the 35-year-old achieved his fourth Test century, finishing with a score of 112. Notably, India scored 445 runs in their opening half.
Jadeja grabbed two wickets in England‘s opening innings, including that of captain Ben Stokes. In the second innings, he was all over the field for India, taking 5/41 to help bowl out the visiting team for just 122. The talented all-around player expressed his happiness with his performance and said it was a unique sensation.
“Getting five wickets in the second innings is an amazing sensation. A century and five wickets in the same Test, too, is exceptional “, he continued.