With minutes to go for the half-an-hour mark on Day 2, Ravindra Jadeja brought up his awaited milestone – a century – that he was shy of by 17 runs overnight.
As soon he slashed a fierce cut to Stuart Broad’s delivery outside and saw no fielder in the deep, the left-hander pumped his fist first. The sword celebration came on next followed by the removal of his helmet and raising of hands. For it was Jadeja’s only third Test hundred, and quite possibly his best.
Jadeja was immaculate for the most part of his innings in the clarity on how to tackle the questions thrown. He was largely restrained in leaving the deliveries well outside the off-stump, on those seventh stump and away.
He was confident in defending the ones in the dangerous off-stump channel, the fourth, fifth and sixth stump. And he was assertive in attacking the deliveries into the sticks and his body. This was a century showcasing high-quality composure, confidence and belief in one’s own abilities.
Ravindra Jadeja and Pant bailed India out of trouble
He had come in to bat with India tottering at the score of 98/5 on the morning of Day 1. Then, as Pant reined into the English bowling attack, Jadeja quietly did his second-fiddle, holding-one-end job perfectly. Their partnership was worth 222 runs off 239 balls; Jadeja scored 68 off 144 in that.
He made sure to see through the last few overs on Day 1 after Pant and Shardul Thakur’s dismissals and carried on on Day 2.
He had barely made any major error until one ball before reaching his century, when on 92, he flayed outside off-stump to Broad and nicked it, but, to his fortunes, the ball brushed Joe Root’s fingertips and went for a four; an innings of such quality deserved that kind of luck.
Jadeja recorded his first Test ton in 2018 and has been in an incredible form since: Since the start of 2018, Jadeja has scored 1324 runs at an average of 49 (at the time of writing); only one batsman – Rohit Sharma – has scored more runs and at a better average than Jadeja in this period.
Twitter celebrated Ravindra Jadeja’s monumental innings that kept India in the game.
Here are some of the best reactions:
CENTURY! No 3 for Ravindra Jadeja!
Since 2017, he has stepped up big time and showed why he has three triple tons in FC cricket. You don’t get them without having a solid base, so good to see him come through like this as a batter.
Bahoot badiya, Sir @imjadeja!
— Nikhil
(@CricCrazyNIKS) July 2, 2022
(@CricCrazyNIKS) This is one of the best knocks I’ve seen from Jadeja. Incredible how he rebuilt his batting.
— Jarrod Kimber (@ajarrodkimber) July 2, 2022
Manjrekar: That’s the 100 of a proper batsman
— Manya (@CSKian716) July 2, 2022
Sir Jadeja, you beautttttttty
— Unnati Madan (@unnati_madan) July 2, 2022
Well played, Sir Jadeja, India’s Test Cricket MVP!
— Cricketjeevi (@wildcardgyan) July 2, 2022
Rishabh Pant and Jadeja have scored two hundreds each in 2022.
No other Indian has made a single century this year.
— Sarah Waris (@swaris16) July 2, 2022
Played Jadeja. The joy on the face of his team mates said it all.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) July 2, 2022
Sir Jadeja is at the peak of his powers as a batter…hangs in there…willing to fight and trusts his technique to see him through the tough phases. His growth as a Test cricketer is admirable. Well played, Jaddu
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) July 2, 2022
Hundred for Ravindra Jadeja, came when India was 98 for 5, made a terrific partnership along with Pant and played outstanding knock in the series decider. One of the greatest all-rounders ever in Test cricket. pic.twitter.com/PWpzPtwbnc
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 2, 2022
Reaction of Virat Kohli when Ravindra Jadeja completed a terrific hundred. pic.twitter.com/ecY4o4hCkN
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 2, 2022
How badly did we miss Jadeja’s batting in SA. Another important knock coming in at a difficult time. He has been doing this time and again, both home and away since Oval 2018. The talks over his place in Indian Test XI are silly regardless of where India play.
— Gurkirat Singh Gill (@gurkiratsgill) July 1, 2022
And the sword is out, Rajput boy Jadeja proving why he is one of the best all rounders India ever had in limited overs and test cricket. Go champ go! #EngvsInd pic.twitter.com/Y6JqRBTZlg
— Amit Mishra (@MishiAmit) July 1, 2022
