Ravindra Jadeja Is All Set To Embark A New Chapter: Tom Moody

Former Australian cricketer Tom Moody has heaped high praise on Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, claiming that the charismatic cricketer is a good enough prospect for India with both bat and ball in the longest format of the game.

Jadeja has been the most prolific all-rounder in Test match cricket for almost five years now and a major reason behind that has been the remarkable improvement in his performances with the bat.

Since 2016, the Saurashtra all-rounder 42.34 with the bat and 27.59 with the ball, and Tom Moody believe that he is now ready to embark on the role of ‘Mr. Reliable’ in Indian cricket.

“I believe Ravindra Jadeja is a Test-quality all-rounder for all conditions. He has played 50 Test matches and has had 33 of those at home and only 17 away. I feel that he is ready to embark on a new chapter in his career where he can be leaned on as a pure bowler and a pure top-order batsman. It gives the Indian team a wonderful balance,” Tom Moody said on ESPNCricinfo.

“He averages just a tick over 35 in Test cricket. He has one hundred and 15 fifties and I think he’s a far better player than he was to get those numbers. So it’s only going to improve over time,” he said.

 

Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja can make for a potent 6 and 7 for India: Tom Moody

Jadeja recently became just the third Indian to play 50 matches in all three formats of the game. However, out of the 50 Tests that he played, only 17 of them have come away from home.

However, Moody reckoned that given the fact that he does necessarily depend on the turn to take wickets, he can be a vital force even in overseas conditions. Jadeja claimed three crucial wickets besides scoring 57 in India’s eight-wicket win at the MCG.

“And I think that he’s a spinner who doesn’t necessarily rely on turn either so if you’ve got a wicket with a little bit of grass, that’s not offering turn, he still will be able to build pressure and create an opportunity for the Indian team to have a successful series home or away,” he added.

And, with India set to give Rishabh Pant a longer rope in the Test team, Tom Moody feels that the former and Jadeja could make a potent combination at 6 and 7.

”To me the difference between six and seven is not relevant. What’s relevant is how good your keeper is as a batsman. At the moment the decision the Indian team has made with Pant, I think it’s quite a potent combination at 6 and 7,” he said.

Also Read: Ravindra Jadeja Is Batting With A Lot Of Confidence And Consistency- Michael Hussey