Ravindra Jadeja scored a brisk half-century as India posted a total of 297 in the first innings of the opening Test in Antigua. Jadeja, who is the sole spinner in the playing XI, was the last batsman to be dismissed just at the stroke of lunch. The left-handed batsman scored 58 off 112.
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Coming in to bat at a time when India were 189/6, Jadeja kept the scoreboard ticking, getting support from nother end as well. His 60-run partnership with Ishant Sharma for the eighth wicket proved to the key for India as that saw the visitors go past a score of 250 and in the end, they put a good total on the board.
Twitterati was in all praise for Jadeja for his knock. Here is how they reacted –
I still can't forget @imjadeja 's WC 2019 semi final inning against NZ and before I forget that, again what an inning today in test match against Windies. True master and totally deserved Arjun award. @BCCI @imVkohli @RaviShastriOfc #jadeja @harbhajan_singh @vikrantgupta73
— Parth Parikh (@parthparikh83) August 23, 2019
297 All out is a very fine effort considering the situation 25-3 yesterday
KL Rahul, Rahane, Sir Jadeja, Vihari and Ishant all shown huge temperament to tackle Short balls thrown at them #WIvIND
— Abhijeet ♞ (@TheYorkerBall) August 23, 2019
.@imjadeja continues his great run, super partnership with @ImIshant. Total looking good now, Indian bowlers would now be tempted to show what they got?#WIvIND
— Reema Malhotra (@ReemaMalhotra8) August 23, 2019
I'm really happy for #Jadeja. He's finally showcasing his undoubted batting potential on the international arena. #WIvIND #SirJadeja
— TANSEN (@TannyHabib) August 23, 2019
India score 297 runs not bad from 23-3!!!! Good contribution by rahane jadeja n ishant!!! Hope indian bowlers will do good!!! @vikrantgupta73 #WIvsIND
— Vivek Regmi (@rv_regmi) August 23, 2019
India score 297 runs not bad from 23-3!!!! Good contribution by rahane jadeja n ishant!!! Hope indian bowlers will do good!!! @vikrantgupta73 #WIvsIND
— Vivek Regmi (@rv_regmi) August 23, 2019
Just love his sword celebration?! WHATA A PLAYER! ANOTHER MATCH SAVING INNING! Sir Jadeja at its best❤️ #INDvWI #jadeja pic.twitter.com/dUIuPEXdyV
— Piyushhh (@piyusharya99) August 23, 2019
https://twitter.com/Boomrah_/status/1164927038328905734
Fifty for Ravindra Jadeja as India creep towards 300! pic.twitter.com/fftPY5e6Mh
— ICC (@ICC) August 23, 2019
Jadeja Played Only 2 Test Innings In 2019
81 (114) vs Aus
58 (112) vs WI#WIvIND— CricBeat (@Cric_beat) August 23, 2019
Ravindra Jadeja has had atleast one fifty-plus score in each of his last five Test series'.#WIvIND
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) August 23, 2019
India had a poor start as Mayank Agarwal, playing his 3rd Test, was dismissed on five off Kemar Roach. The right-arm pacer followed up with the wicket of Chetehwar Pujara in the same over. Indian skipper too didn’t do much and managed nine off 12.
KL Rahul and Ajinkya Rahane steadied team India’s ship with a partnership of 68 runs for the fourth wicket. Rahul missed out on scoring a half-century and was dismissed on 44 off Roston Chase.
Hanuma Vhari and Rahane again propelled the team ahead but West Indies took two more wickets on the opening day and were on 203/6 at stumps on day 1.
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Overnight batsmen Rishabh Pant and Jadeja came out to bat on day 2 but Rishabh could just add four more runs in his account. Ishant Sharma played 62 balls for his 19. In the end, India put up a good total on the board.
Indian pace attack led by Ishant Sharma will also aim to emulate West Indies’ bowlers and make most out of the conditions with the dukes. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami are two other pacers in the playing XI.