Jadeja Takes ‘World’s Best All-Rounder’ Title from Ashwin and Stokes, Says Former England Captain Vaughan

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has declared Ravindra Jadeja as the best all-rounder globally. This comes after Jadeja’s remarkable performance in the first Test at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Hyderabad. Not only did he take three wickets on Day 1 to help bowl out England for 246, but he also played a crucial role with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 81 on Day 2. Partnering with Axar Patel, he added an unbroken 63 runs for the eighth wicket, steering India to 421/7 at stumps with a substantial lead of 175

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The former England skipper hit the nail on the head with his assessment. India’s climb to the top on a tricky pitch was nothing short of monumental, and Jadeja’s knack for navigating risks emerged as the secret weapon in their arsenal.

In a way, the scenario was tailor-made for the left-hander, known for thriving in challenging situations. As Jadeja stepped up to bat, Rahul was already dominating, and he seamlessly joined the party, adding a few impressive strokes of his own.

Indeed, during the first 40 balls he faced, Jadeja amassed 35 runs, enabling India to not only catch up with England but also swiftly take the lead.

However, Rahul’s departure after a resilient 123-ball 86 compelled Jadeja to adapt his approach. With India’s lead at just 42, the team relied on him to anchor the innings and build additional layers on top of that nascent foundation.

Jadeja executed that strategy perfectly. While he did slow down, he didn’t imprison himself in a defensive shell. Instead, he seized the opportunity to capitalize whenever the England bowlers made mistakes in their lengths.

Displaying both power and finesse, Jadeja unleashed a bold hoick off left-arm spinner Tom Hartley, sending the ball sailing over long-on for a six. He followed it up with a graceful off-drive off leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed, effortlessly finding the boundary for a four.

The England bowlers maintained high spirits and optimism, constantly bowling and appealing throughout the day. However, their inconsistency in hitting the right spots was evident, with the exception of Joe Root, who proved more than a part-timer in these conditions.

Not surprisingly, it was Root who posed the most significant challenge to Jadeja during his innings. The spinner managed to wrap Jadeja’s pads, and umpire Paul Reiffel upheld the appeal for leg-before.

In a nail-biting moment, the DRS showed a clear inside edge, granting Jadeja a lifeline at 49. Undeterred, he went on to notch up his 20th Test fifty in 84 balls, taking three runs off Root’s delivery.

The only hiccup in an otherwise composed innings was a disastrous mix-up that led to the run-out of R Ashwin. Jadeja initiated a dummy run, taking a few steps before abruptly turning his back, only to discover his spin-bowling partner standing right next to him.