Twitter Shocked As Ravindra Jadeja Walks In To Bat Ahead Of Ajinkya Rahane In The Oval Test

Team India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was promoted up the order and came to bat at No. 5 in the fourth Test against India at The Oval. He walked out in place of Ajinkya Rahane, which left Twitterati in shock.

India was once again in familiar territory at the Oval. Virat Kohli’s men were asked to bat first on another gloomy English morning. The openers KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma once again had the onus of providing a good start.

They managed to hold the fort before Chris Woakes sent Rohit back with an unplayable delivery. Rahul soon followed suit, falling to a probing Ollie Robinson within the first hour of play.

Cheteshwar Pujara, who had a great outing in the second essay at Headingley, looked choppy at the crease before being knocked over by James Anderson. While everybody anticipated the arrival of Ajinkya Rahane, the team management decided to tinkle with the batting order.

The ever-improving Jadeja was sent out, much to the surprise of the cricketing fraternity. The decision was most likely influenced by the fact that Rahane has struggled in the series so far, while Jadeja has done reasonably well.

Another factor is probably to get a left-right combination at the crease, something that could offset the English bowlers. Jadeja has a fifty in the series, and a couple of quick cameos to go with it.

He has been left to play with the tail very often, with many suggesting a promotion above Rishabh Pant was in order. However, Kohli and co. decided to spring up a bigger surprise and bring him in at No.5. Twitterati was bemused as expected and had mixed reactions to it.

Here are a few reactions to Ravindra Jadeja’s promotion:

Had asked Kohli after the last match if it was worthwhile to shuffle the batting order since the lower order has bailed the team out match after match. The captain remained defiant. https://t.co/PNoM7liY10

— Arani Basu (@AraniBasuTOI) September 2, 2021

Surprised not seeing Ajinkya Rahane at no.5

It's time our vice-captain steps up and contributes to the team in a big way#ENGvIND

— Vinod Kambli (@vinodkambli349) September 2, 2021

Agree https://t.co/om0JvVlB4V

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 2, 2021

Jadeja to bat at 5 for India in the Test match.

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 2, 2021

Ravi Jadeja batting 5 for India. Maybe India keen to have a left-right pair? Huge call

— Tim Wigmore (@timwig) September 2, 2021

India #Logic
#5 – Ravindra Jadeja – 3 triple and 2 double centuries in FC cricket
#6 – Ajinkya Rahane – 2 double centuries in FC cricket#INDvsEND #IndvEng #ENGvIND #EngvsInd

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) September 2, 2021

India in tatters already. Kohli’s there, but the innings hasn’t gained any momentum and 3 wickets have fallen. Jadeja walks out at no.5. This is a surprise!

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) September 2, 2021

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