Veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja stated on Friday that all five of the Indian bowlers “will be in play” when Bangladesh comes out to bat in the second innings of this series opener, hoping to secure his 300th Test wicket at the storied Chepauk.
Jadeja made a tidy 86 with the bat and added 199 runs for the seventh wicket with centurion Ravichandran Ashwin (113) in Bangladesh’s opening innings. He then claimed two wickets to raise his total in the format to 296.
To be honest, Jadeja was also looking good for a hundred of his own before Taskin Ahmed fired him.
“I left today, but that’s just the nature of the game. It is now our responsibility to start the second inning with a solid score. My performance today in bowling has left me really satisfied. After play concluded on the second day, Jadeja told the official broadcaster, “It’s a good opportunity to take the 300th wicket on this ground.”
India had increased their lead to 308 runs overall and were now in complete control. When the stumps were drawn, the hosts were 81 for three, having earlier bowled Bangladesh out for 149 in their opening innings.
In their first essay, India scored 376 points.
“We need to bat really well first; we need to score between 120 and 150 from this point on. Jadeja, who spent a long time playing for the Chennai Super Kings, said, “We’ll be in a good position and then we’ll come out and bowl and try and get them out as early as possible.”
There were no demons on the pitch, but there was clearly something in it for the pacers as up to 17 wickets dropped on the day, a Chepauk record.
“The wicket still has something for the fast bowlers, but it’s pretty good for batting.” It’s not so easy for batters; the odd ball was swinging and seaming. Fast bowlers can extract anything from the wicket if they bend their back.
Jadeja responded, “First of all, Ashwin doesn’t need any advice,” when asked about his partnership with Ashwin and what “advice” he gave to the local lad after they teamed up with India struggling at 144 for six on the opening day. I was just saying to Ash that since the wicket was so nice and we were both playing really well, we wouldn’t try to make mistakes or miscall.
“That was our conversation; I said we’d try to take easy singles and I’ll try not to make you run hard. Ashwin deserves a lot of praise for his magnificent knock on his home field.
“The odd ball and odd spin are keeping low, so there’s something in the wicket for both spinners and fast bowlers. Every bowler in the five will be in action.
