 "Ravindra Jadeja has scored one century and five fifties in this series. Reuters")
Ravindra Jadeja added another feather to his cap on Day 3 of the ongoing fifth Test at The Oval between India and England as he broke a long-standing record held by West Indies legend Sir Garfield Sobers. While Sobers is widely regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders in cricket history, Jadeja is known as the best in modern times.
Jadeja breaks Sobers’ record
Jadeja, who has been solid for India with the bat in this Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series, scored his sixth 50-plus score while batting in India’s final innings of this five-match contest. He made 53 off 77 balls, including five boundaries, to help India post a big target of 374 runs.
With this, he now holds the record for most 50-plus scores in a Test series in England by a batter batting at No.6 or lower, going past Sobers’ tally of five in 1966. He also became only the second visiting player after Sobers to score over 1,000 runs and take 30-plus wickets in Tests played in England.
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Jadeja crosses 500-run mark in the series
Jadeja’s total runs in the series now stand at 516 at an average of 86, joining Shubman Gill (754) and KL Rahul (532) as the only Indian batters to go past the 500-run mark in this series. He has been one of the most consistent performers for India throughout the tour, with one century and five fifties.
Jadeja has scored more runs than even top-class batters like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal in this series. He is currently the third-highest scorer on the list after Gill and Rahul.
India vs England, 5th Test
India ended Day 3 with the upper hand, setting a massive target of 374 for England. Yashasvi Jaiswal scored a fine 118 off 164 balls, his second century of the series. Akash Deep smashed 66 off 94 for his maiden Test fifty, while Washington Sundar provided fireworks towards the end with 53 off 46 balls, including four sixes.
India’s second innings total of 396 gave them a strong position in the match. England, who lead the series 2-1, will need to chase a record target if they want to win the series outright. India, on the other hand, need eight more wickets to avoid yet another Test series defeat.