NEW DELHI: Star Indian spinner Ravindra Jadeja expressed surprise at Team India’s collapse late in the day, in reply to New Zealand‘s 235, describing it as ‘unexpected’. After witnessing a promising start with key partnerships, the team’s sudden loss of wickets left him and the squad in disbelief.
Openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill forged a solid half-century partnership after losing skipper Rohit early, but India squandered the chance to capitalise on it, ending Day 1 of the third Test at 86/4.
Jadeja shone with his 14th five-wicket haul, while Washington Sundar contributed significantly by taking four wickets, helping to bowl out New Zealand for 235 at the Wankhede Stadium on Friday.
At stumps, Shubman Gill was batting on 31 with Rishabh Pant on 1 as India dug themselves into a hole after losing three wickets in the space of eight balls.
Jadeja expressed shock at the team’s sudden collapse, saying that miscommunication and misjudgment happens during the match.
(Speed of his bowling – 92/93kph) You have to mix it here. Can’t be very slow. There’s bounce, but not a lot of pace. So you have to use your shoulder more to get the revs. (Last 15 minutes) It was unexpected. But miscommunication and misjudgment happens. We have tomorrow. We need to build small partnerships and need to take the score past 235,” Jadeja said at the post-match interaction.
Jadeja also acknowledged the team’s overall effort in the match, highlighting the significance of teamwork in achieving such impressive results.
“Taking a five-wicket haul for India is always special. I felt good that I got wickets when the team needed a breakthrough. Especially in that heat. The team did well collectively, Washy also bowled well,” Jadeja said.
With his 14th five-wicket haul in Tests, Jadeja surpassed former pace teammates Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma, climbing to fifth place on India’s all-time highest wicket-takers list in the format. Jadeja has now taken 314 wickets, placing him just behind Harbhajan Singh, who leads with 417 wickets in the all-time list.
Everyone played their roles. We will also put an effort collectively with the bat. (Crossing Zaheer and Ishant) Didn’t know that. When a series starts, I don’t see how many wickets I have. I only see these when I’m not playing cricket and at home. Good that I’m making progress and taking wickets,” Jadeja added.