Gautam Gambhir blocked from dropping Ravindra Jadeja as Ex-cricketer blasts India's big failure in BGT

Former cricketer Mohammad Kaif hailed all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja for his crucial half-century in India's first innings of the third Test against Australia. Mohammad Kaif stated that Ravindra Jadeja looked more comfortable than the top-order batsmen, who struggled to face Australia's bowling attack.

Jadeja's exclusion from India's playing XI for the first two Tests came as a surprise. Washington Sundar and Ravichandran Ashwin were preferred over Jadeja in the Indian XI for the opening two Tests. The left-handed batter justified his selection in the third Test by scoring a crucial half-century.

Ravindra Jadeja's Innings Ended After Scoring 77 Runs

The 36-year-old came to the crease when the team was in a challenging situation at 74/5 at the Gabba in Brisbane on Tuesday, December 17. He and KL Rahul, who scored 84 runs off 139 balls, added 67 runs for the fifth wicket. Jadeja then added 53 runs off 104 balls with Nitish Kumar Reddy for the seventh wicket.

Jadeja's innings came to an end on day four when he miscued a short ball from Australia captain Pat Cummins. Jadeja played a hook shot but was cleanly caught by Mitchell Marsh in the deep. Jadeja scored 77 runs off 123 balls with the help of seven boundaries and one six before heading to the dressing room.

Unlike the Top Order, He Didn't Play and Miss - Mohammad Kaif

Mohammad Kaif stated that the Indian team management should not think of dropping Ravindra Jadeja in the upcoming matches. Kaif also pointed out that India hadn't fielded their best XI during the tour and hoped that would change in the remaining Tests.

"India can think of dropping a batsman but not Jadeja. Unlike the top order, he didn't play and miss. He looked the most comfortable Indian batsman here. India on this tour have failed to put their best playing XI on field. Hope it changes in the last two Tests. #AUSvIND," Mohammad Kaif wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).

India can think of dropping a batsman but not Jadeja. Unlike the top order, he didn't play and miss. He looked the most comfortable Indian batsman here. India on this tour have failed to put their best playing XI on field. Hope it changes in the last two Tests. #AUSvIND

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) December 17, 2024

Ravindra Jadeja Boasts Impressive Test Record on Australian Soil

After the half-century in the ongoing encounter, Ravindra Jadeja has boosted his average to over 50, with three half-centuries in five Tests in Australia. The left-arm spinner has taken 14 wickets at an average of 28.57. Jadeja has been a key figure in India's series victories in Australia in 2018-19 and 2020-21.

Most 50+ Scores in Border Gavaskar Trophy (Batting at 6 or Below)

Most 50+ Scores Against Australia in Tests (Batting at 7 or Below)