India delivered a resounding victory against West Indies in Ahmedabad, winning by an innings and 140 runs. The star of the show was all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who continued his fine form with a brilliant 104-run knock in the first innings and four wickets in the second.
Jadeja’s century came on the back of an impressive run in the England Test series, where he played a pivotal role, particularly during the Lord’s Test. His batting maturity and composure have been key to India’s recent red-ball success.
Preparation at the Centre of Excellence Paid Off
After the West Indies match, Jadeja revealed that a two-month break from international cricket gave him the perfect window to focus on his fitness and batting technique. He spent that time at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, working intensively on his game.
“Yeah, I have been working hard with my batting. We had a two-month off, there was no Test cricket or ODIs. I was working on my fitness and I went to the Centre of Excellence in Bangalore, worked on my skills and fitness there,” said Jadeja.
Another major shift in his game came from his fixed batting position in the lineup. Jadeja, who previously batted at number 8 or 9, now finds himself consistently at number 6, giving him more time to build an innings.
“Now I’ve got my place at 6. I can prepare better, pace my innings, and there’s no need to rush unnecessarily. That clarity has really helped.”
Ahmedabad Pitch Brought Out the Best in Jadeja
Jadeja expressed his love for playing on red soil pitches like the one in Ahmedabad, as it complements both his bowling and batting skills. The surface offered bounce and turn for spinners, while also being reliable for batting.
“I always love playing on red soil pitches. It’s fun because as a spinner, you get more turn and bounce. If the wicket is flat, you can score runs, and if it’s turning, then you can enjoy bowling.”
The all-rounder also shared his pride in serving as vice-captain of the Indian Test team, acknowledging the support from the team management and selectors.
“Being a vice-captain is a huge honour. I thank the coach, captain, and selectors for trusting me. I’m always there to contribute whenever the team needs me — be it with suggestions or support.”
Ravindra Jadeja’s recent performances, both with the bat and ball, showcase his evolution into one of India’s most dependable Test players. With consistent contributions and leadership qualities, he’s proving to be a cornerstone of India’s red-ball setup.
