Ravindra Jadeja Reflects On Shubman Gill's Growth & Leadership In Test Match

The Indian all-rounder and one of the most celebrated, Ravindra Jadeja, played an incredible knock of 89 runs in the second test against England at Edgbaston, sharing an important 203-run stand with skipper Shubman Gill. But after the end of the second day's game, when asked about leadership ambitions, Jadeja was too quick to say it down with a smile, "Wo time gaya! (That time is now gone)."

This was the third tour of the Indian all-rounder in his career; he gave his best in pressure situations, supported his captain Gill, and ensured that India did not lack in scoring runs. Jadeja played a crucial role in helping Gill score his double hundred, and most importantly, his knock helped India put up such a big score of 587 runs in the first innings.

When the 35-year-old all-rounder was asked about Gill's growth, he said,

"You didn't see how much Shubman Gill has grown? Shubman scored 269 runs. He was unlucky because aaj lag nahi raha tha ki wo out hoga (today, it never looked like he was going to get out). We were actually talking about building a long partnership."

Jadeja's innings came to an end just before the century when Josh Tongue's short ball hit him at high speed and forced a gloved edge through keeper Jamie Smith. But by then the damage was done, and he lost his wicket. After his wicket, Gill found Washington Sundar as an ideal partner at the other end; the duo added 144 runs. Sundar lost his wicket when he was batting on 42 runs, while Gill's knock continued and ended on 269 runs, which is now the highest score by an Indian captain in Tests.

Just before the end of the Day 2 game, England got the chance to bat, and they lost their top order, which included the wickets of Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, and Ollie Pope. Currently they are on 77 for 3 at stumps. Joe Root and Harry Brook remained not out at the day's end.

When the all-rounder was asked about the Day 3 plan, he told a clear plan, stating,

"We will have to take 2-3 wickets before lunch tomorrow. If we do that, then we will definitely be ahead in the game. Hopefully, we will get a good result in India's favor."