Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has achieved a significant milestone, breaking a long-standing record held by cricket icon Sir Garfield Sobers during the ongoing Test series in England.
Jadeja Breaks Sobers’ Half-Century Record
Sir Garfield Sobers is widely regarded as one of cricket’s greatest all-rounders. It’s a testament to Ravindra Jadeja’s remarkable consistency that he has now surpassed a record set by Sobers way back in 1966.
During the third day of the fifth Test against England at The Oval, Jadeja notched up his sixth score of 50 or more in the series. This achievement surpasses Sobers’ five scores of 50+ in a single series played in England, marking a new record.
While Sobers still holds the record for most runs by an away batter batting at No. 6 or lower in a series in England (722 runs in 1966), Jadeja’s current tally of 516 runs at an impressive average of 86 highlights his exceptional form.
A Stellar Series for “Sir” Jadeja
Jadeja’s consistent performances have been a cornerstone of India’s batting in this series. Besides his six half-centuries, he also scored a hundred in a previous Test, showcasing his versatility.
He joins an elite group of Indian batters, including Shubman Gill (754 runs) and KL Rahul (532 runs), to cross the 500-run mark in the series. Furthermore, Jadeja is only the second visiting player after Sobers to achieve the rare feat of scoring over 1,000 runs and taking more than 30 wickets in Tests played in England.
India’s Strong Batting Display
India’s overall batting effort in the fifth Test was robust, setting a challenging target of 374 runs for England. Yashasvi Jaiswal led the charge with a superb 118, marking his second century of the series.
Akash Deep also contributed significantly with his maiden half-century, scoring 66 runs. Jadeja’s vital 53, along with a quickfire 53 from Washington Sundar towards the end, ensured India built a substantial lead. For England, Josh Tongue was the pick of the bowlers, claiming five wickets for 125 runs.
Key Takeaways from the Series
- Shubman Gill’s 754 runs are the second-best by an Indian batter in a Test series away from home, behind only Sunil Gavaskar’s 774 runs in the West Indies.
- The highest successful run-chase at The Oval remains England’s 263/9 back in 1902. A team has only crossed 370 in the fourth innings at this venue thrice.
- Akash Deep became just the sixth Indian player to achieve the double of a 50+ score and a 10-wicket haul within the first 10 matches of his career.
Jadeja’s record-breaking consistency has been a highlight of this series, adding another feather to his already illustrious cap and putting India in a strong position in the final Test.
