By News18
Cricket fans were in for a treat as Team India, led by Shubman Gill, managed to put up 587 runs on the scoreboard at Edgbaston in the second Test against England after being five down for 211 at one stage. A far cry from what unfolded during the Headingley Test where India witnessed not once but two batting collapses, the visiting side were aided by a princely 269 piled up by the 25-year-old captain Gill, who broke several records with his memorable double century, including the first Indian Test captain to score 200 in England as well as SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) countries. Gill deservedly won praises from far and wide for leading India from the front.
However, it was Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja鈥檚 quiet 89 that reminded the ICT fans that the 36-year-old鈥檚 contribution with the bat in Birmingham was of paramount importance.
That Partnership
After the quick fall of Rishabh Pant and Nitish Kumar Reddy in two overs, India were in all sorts of trouble as a batting collapse scare loomed large at one point during the first innings of the match. Gill, at the no.4 position and Jadeja coming in at 7, ensured nothing of that sort happened as the duo weaved a 203-run partnership for the sixth wicket to pull India out of serious trouble. Cricket great Sachin Tendulkar lauded the duo for showing intent and commitment during their crucial partnership.
Jadeja Shines
Jadeja, who is no. 1 on ICC鈥檚 all-rounder list, played a watchful but pacy knock as he struck the ball at a strike rate of 65. His invaluable 89 consisted of 10 boundaries and a maximum.
He was eventually undone by Josh Tongue, who broke the important partnership with a short ball that Jadeja tried to fend but ended up giving a catch to wicket-keeper Jamie Smith.
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Cricket Fans Go Gaga
Jadeja鈥檚 contribution with the bat at a time when India needed it the most wasn鈥檛 lost on cricket fans. They praised him for showing his worth, especially after the criticism that came his way after a forgettable first Test in Leeds.
鈥淛adeja usually ends up with tailenders and gets blamed for not finishing well. Today he had a proper partner and he delivered. You can鈥檛 expect him to score 50s or 100s while batting with tailenders,鈥 a user on X wrote.
鈥淧eople don鈥檛 realise how good is Ravindra Jadeja. 35 average with the bat and 24 average with the ball, remarkable, (sic)鈥 added another.
The praises kept pouring in鈥
Jadeja averages as good as Stokes with bat while averaging as great as Ashwin with ball. Can’t believe ict fans are debating on his worth as a player.
鈥 R (@Yunhichalachal) July 3, 2025
What is this guy?He can bat like Tendulkar He can bowl like WarneHe can field like Jonty rhodesHe is KL Rahul in overseas Conditions.He is Virat Kohli in domestic condition.Guyss!! Remember the name Sir Ravindra Jadeja!!History won’t see another Complete cricketer like him pic.twitter.com/arwhOMVko6
鈥 ????. (@repivxx65_) July 3, 2025
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Washington Sundar, who came in after the departure of Jadeja, helped India stretch the score from 414/6 to 558/7 with a handy knock of 42 and Gill on the other end.
The day, however, undeniably belonged to Gill, who broke a plethora of records with the bat. Gill鈥檚 269 became the highest run scored by an Indian captain on English soil. Gill became the second youngest Indian captain after MAK Pataudi to score a double century in Test cricket. He did so at the age of 25 years and 298 days. Pataudi was 23 years and 39 days old.