Ravindra Jadeja has been a very reliable batter in Test cricket in recent years. He started off as a bowler who can bat well and then became a bowling all-rounder. His bowling form, especially in Test Cricket, became his identity and partnership with Ravichandran Ashwin made him even more popular. As a batter, he kept improving and scored 3 Test centuries as well.
In Rajkot Test, he got a chance to play at No.5 as Rajat Patidar and Sarfaraz Khan both are inexperienced. Indian team management placed him in the batting order right in the middle of them both. In this Test that decision helped big time. He has been able to put a 204-run partnership with Rohit Sharma. He went against spinners of England post Lunch and kept the score moving.
Mark Wood(3/69) dismissed two batters who scored centuries in previous Test early and that has put huge pressure on Sharma and Jadeja. After Rohit Sharma got out after scoring 131 runs, Sarfaraz Khan started off in sensational fashion. He kept taking on spinners without any fear and he even took on English seamers.
Sarfaraz Khan scored third fastest Fifty for India in Test cricket in 48 balls. He tried to keep it going but Ravindra Jadeja’s nervous single at 99, ended his promising innings in a run-out. Sarfaraz Khan showcased his array of shots and impressed with his debut innings in Test cricket. His father’s emotions when Kumble handed him the Test cap and after him scoring a fifty have been captured wella and the videos are going viral.
He scored 62 runs from 66 balls. Ravindra Jadeja completed his 4th Test century and ended the Day by scoring 110 runs from 212 balls. He and Kuldeep Yadav will continue the innings on Day 2. India with the help of centuries from seasoned Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja and maiden fifty by Sarfaraz Khan, scored 326/5, by the end of the day, which looked highly unlikely.
England would look to rattle the tail enders of India in the morning session of Day 2. But Dhruv Jurel, who also debuted along with Sarfaraz Khan, in this test as wicket-keeper batsman, is known for his hitting prowess in IPL. So, we have to wait and see, what impact he will have further as keeper and batter.