IND vs SL: Ravindra Jadeja's Innings Changed The Course Of The Game: Wasim Jaffer

Ravindra Jadeja’s 18-ball 45 run cameo helped India win the second T20I against Sri Lanka on Saturday (February 27). He found support from Shreyas Iyer (74*) and Sanju Samson (39) as India cantered through to 184 inside 18 overs. This win helped the team get an unassailable lead of 2-0 in the three-match series. The third and final T20I will be played in Dharmasala on Sunday (February 27).

Speaking to ESPN Cricinfo, Wasim Jaffer had special praise for Ravindra Jadeja’s batting abilities. The southpaw’s record with the bat across formats over the last three years is impeccable.

In this match, Jadeja walked out to bat with India needing 56 off the last seven overs. He smacked 45 off just 18 balls as India won inside 18 overs. Jaffer was hugely impressed by his knock saying his innings changed the course of the game.

It Was An Outstanding Innings From Ravindra Jadeja: Wasim Jaffer

“It was really nice to see Jadeja coming in at No. 5 and playing the kind of knock that he played. It was an outstanding innings. His 45 off 18 changed the course of the game. This batting line-up has so much firepower. Given the dimensions of the ground (in Dharamsala), 10-12 runs per over is not going to be too hard for this batting line-up” said Jaffer.

While the innings was finished by Jadeja, the Indian chase was set up by the 84-run stand between Iyer and Samson. Both of them complimented each other and took calculated risks.

Samson started watchfully and then scored freely hitting two four and three sixes. Iyer’s innings was designed by six boundaries and four sixes. Jaffer had a word on both the players as well.

“Sanju took his time early on because Shreyas was going great guns. He hasn’t got going in T20 internationals. He has obviously shown a lot of promise. So it was really good to see him play his free-flowing game. Hope to see him do that more often” Jaffer first said on Samson.

The former Indian batsman then spoke about Shreyas Iyer saying that he is in a very good space and making the most of his chances. Iyer was elevated to number three in the batting order with Virat Kohli absent from this series.

“Shreyas Iyer is in a very good space. Probably getting consecutive chances has helped his cause. Sometimes, in such a strong batting line-up, players don’t get consecutive chances. But when they do, it feels right and they can express themselves, which is what is happening with Shreyas,” Jaffer concluded saying.

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