Ravindra Jadeja's classy act as cricket world turns on India Test centurion
Jadeja was savaged around the cricket world after the shocking moment with his teammate.
They say it takes a big person to admit when they're wrong and Ravindra Jadeja has done just that after a horror moment in India's third Test against England. Jadeja (110 not out) and captain Rohit Sharma (131) both scored superb centuries to turn the first innings against England around, as the home side got to stumps at 5-326.
Despite his heroics on day one in Rajkot, however, Jadeja earned the ire of his skipper and fans around the cricket world after running out teammate Sarfaraz Khan on his Test debut. Jadeja was on 99 runs at the time and called for a quick single to try and reach his fourth Test century, but quickly changed his mind and sent Sarfaraz back.
'OH NO': Quirky Starc detail emerges in brutal Test moment for Alyssa Healy
'SAVAGE': Pat Cummins' epic response to fan comment about wife
The debutant was playing beautifully up until that point after racing away to a 48-ball fifty, but Jadeja's indecisiveness left him stranded and well out of his crease. Sarfaraz couldn't get back to his crease before being run out as his entertaining knock of 62 came to a sad end. Rohit had already returned to the pavilion after his century but could been seen throwing his cap in disgust watching from the stands.
Jadeja brought up his century moments after the dismissal but his celebrations were understandably muted, with England's James Anderson seen giving him a blast. The India quick absolutely copped it as well from cricket fans around the world but showed his class after apologising to his teammate and admitting he was wrong in a message posted to social media.
Ravindra Jadeja's heartfelt Instagram story dedicated to Sarfaraz Khan ❤️
He expressed regret for Sarfaraz and sending his support to the teammate.#RavindraJadeja | #SarfarazKhan | #INDvsENGTest pic.twitter.com/sZlO1eSKpd— Cricdiction (@cricdiction) February 15, 2024
Ravindra Jadeja sorry as cricket world turns on India star
"Feeling bad for @sarfarazkhan97 it was my wrong call," Jadeja said on his Instagram story. "Well played," added Jadeja, lauding Sarfaraz for his exploits on Day 1." Sarfaraz also showed maturity in his response to the run out after labelling it a "miscommunication" and insisting there is no lingering animosity towards Jaedeja. "It is a part of the game. Miscommunication happens in cricket. Sometimes run-out happens, sometimes you get the runs," he said.
"I spoke to Jadeja at lunch time and requested him to talk to me while playing. I like talking while playing. It was my first time. I told him that when I go out to bat, keep talking to me while playing. He kept talking and supported me a lot while I was batting."
Rohit Sharma appears furious with Jadeja 😡😡
Sarfaraz Khan's debut century remains elusive...#RavindraJadeja #RohitSharma #SarfarazKhan #INDvENG #TestCricket #INDvsENGTest pic.twitter.com/nak539z5pR— Sir Castic (@SirCaustic420) February 16, 2024
Jadeja was too mean to betray a debutant. @ImRo45 was also unhappy with Selfish @imjadeja.
Well played Sarfaraz. 👏👐.#SarfarazKhan | #INDvENG | #Jadeja #INDvsENG#INDvsENGTest pic.twitter.com/s90Yd2EkXZ— BRAKING NEWS 🤯 (@Jamesneeesham) February 15, 2024
Jadeja just played there for milestone. Awful by a senior player
— Saj (@odedra_sajan) February 15, 2024
Awful awful stuff from jadeja such an experienced player cant be doing like this
Sad end to sarfaraz knock— ARAVIND R (@dakaltydamalty) February 15, 2024
Jadeja is the most selfish player in the Indian cricket team.
— Ranjeet Singh (@ranjeetsmile) February 16, 2024
Today first ever time I'm angry over Ravindra Jadeja. What you did man. Sarfaraz Khan was looking fabulous today. You snatched his hundred. #RavindraJadeja #INDvsENGTest #INDvENG#SarfarazKhan pic.twitter.com/vwdqdLvFYs
— Advocate Jaylakshmi Shukla (@jaylak3_shukla) February 15, 2024
Early Mark Wood spell left India reeling
England quick Mark Wood had gotten England off to a brilliant start on the opening day, with his extra pace causing problems for India on a docile deck in Rajkot. Wood had Yashasvi Jaiswal (10) caught in the slips in his second over and picked up Shubman Gill caught behind for a duck in his next, after Rohit won the toss and chose to bat on the flat wicket.
England captain Ben Stokes, playing his 100th test, turned to spin in the ninth over and was rewarded immediately as Tom Hartley dismissed Rajat Patidar for five. Despite a blistering spell of pace bowling from Wood - who rattled Rohit on the helmet at one stage - England couldn't get the next crucial breakthrough as the India skipper and Jadeja turned the Test in the home side's favour.
Rohit was given a life on 27 when he edged Hartley and Joe Root spilled the catch at slip. The captain also survived after being given out lbw to James Anderson, with the decision reversed after replays confirmed the ball hit bat first.
India's captain took 157 balls to bring up his hundred but his restrained celebration suggested he was hungry for more runs. Stokes and Wood scuppered that plan with short-ball tactics that ultimately paid off as Rohit slapped a ball from Wood to Stokes at midwicket to end his fine knock.
India will resume day two looking to build on their impressive score on the opening day, with Jadeja and nightwatchman Kuldeep Yadav at the crease. The five-Test series is delicately poised at 1-1, with the final two Tests to be played in Ranchi and Dharamsala.
with agencies
Sign up to our newsletter and score the biggest sport stories of the week.