Ravindra Jadeja said it 'feels great' to deliver when the team is under pressure overseas, after his composed 89 helped India post a mammoth 587 on Day 2 of the second Test against England at Edgbaston. His knock, part of a game-changing 203-run partnership with captain Shubman Gill (269), was instrumental in pulling India out from 211/5 to a position of complete dominance.
“When the team is in trouble abroad and you contribute with the bat, it feels great. It gives you confidence as a cricketer,” Jadeja said after play, reflecting on the importance of his innings.
The all-rounder made headlines earlier in the day for arriving at the ground ahead of the team -- a breach of BCCI’s Standard Operating Procedures, which mandate players travel together. Jadeja said the call was deliberate. “Somewhere I felt I should go and bat extra because the ball was still new. If I can see the new ball off, it would become easy for the rest of the innings.”
His proactive move paid dividends, as India built a towering total on a batting-friendly surface. Jadeja’s innings, though falling short of a century, provided much-needed stability and allowed the lower order to build around him. Washington Sundar added 42, while the tail chipped in to take India past 580.
There was a moment of tension during the day’s play when England captain Ben Stokes accused Jadeja of roughing up the pitch. The left-hander dismissed the claim. “He feels I was making it rough. But why would I? I won’t even bowl there,” he said.
England, in reply, were rattled early by Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj, ending the day at 77/3 and still trailing by 510 runs. With momentum firmly in India’s corner, Jadeja said the plan would be to 'bowl in good areas and press on' when play resumes on Day 3.
