Last updated:Nov 2, 2024, 5:15 PM IST

Ravindra Jadeja has become the second Indian after Ravichandran Ashwin to take 50 wickets in a World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.

Ravindra Jadeja is one wicket away from his third 10-wicket haul in Test cricket. (Image: AP)

Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has become the second Indian after Ravichandran Ashwin to take 50 wickets in a World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. The left-arm spinner took a four-wicket haul on Day 2 of the third and final Test against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Jadeja returned to form in the final match against the Kiwis, where he ran through New Zealand’s middle order by dismissing the likes of Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Ish Sodhi and Matt Henry, finishing with a four-wicket haul at the end of the match. the second day of play.

He also improved his wicket count from the previous WTC cycle of 2021-2023 where he finished with 47 wickets from 13 matches.

The Saurashtra-based cricketer has been a crucial part of the Indian Test team in recent years, where he has become a prolific all-rounder, with the ability to take away the opposition’s play with both ball and bat.

As a result of his heroics with the ball, India are now leading the way with a target of XXX runs to help India redeem themselves with a win in the 3rd Test, after suffering crushing defeats in the first two matches to suffer their first series defeat endure. on home soil after 12 years.

Jadeja is also the third leading wicket-taker in the ongoing WTC cycle. Ashwin leads the charts with 62 wickets, followed by Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood with 51 scalps at the second position.

Jadeja’s form with the ball will be a positive sign for the Indian team as they look forward to their next assignment after the New Zealand series. He had a great bowling performance in the first innings, also taking a five-wicket haul. In total, he has taken nine wickets in the Test and could be eyeing his third haul of 10 wickets in Tests.

The tour to Australia will be a huge clash between the top two Test teams and Jadeja’s form with the ball could be crucial as the team hopes to defend the Border-Gavaskar title on Australian soil again.

In the second day of play, New Zealand achieved a lead of only 143 points. India will be confident of chasing the target given the time remaining in the Test. But India’s shortcomings in spin could be put to the test if the visitors can produce another stunning performance with the ball.