NEW DELHI: Ravindra Jadeja played a crucial supporting role in India’s record-breaking recovery on Day 2 of the second Test against England – but it wasn’t just his 89-run knock and 203-run stand with Shubman Gill that drew attention. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The senior all-rounder broke the BCCI’s Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) by arriving at the ground early to get some extra batting practice, a move he later justified as necessary preparation on a testing English pitch.
Since the Australia tour, BCCI has mandated that all players must travel to the ground together in the team bus. Jadeja, however, opted to come ahead of schedule.
Poll
Was Jadeja’s decision to break SOPs justified?
“Somewhere I felt that I should go and bat extra because the ball was still new,” Jadeja explained in the press briefing after the day’s play. “If I can see the new ball off, it would become easy for the rest of the innings. In England, you never feel set; the ball can swing anytime and take your edge.”Resuming on 41, Jadeja’s extra session helped him settle in and support Gill, whose majestic 269 was the backbone of India’s total of 587. Jadeja fell short of a well-deserved century but expressed satisfaction in rising to the challenge. “When the team is in trouble abroad and you contribute with the bat, it feels great. It gives you confidence as a cricketer,” he said.The day wasn’t without drama. England captain Ben Stokes accused Jadeja of deliberately roughing up the pitch. “He feels I was making it rough. But why would I? I won’t even bowl there,” Jadeja responded. “He kept telling the umpire, but it wasn’t my intention.”With England reduced to 77 for 3 in reply, Jadeja hinted at more to come: “If we get a chance tomorrow, we’ll try to bowl in good areas and press on.”
