Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has showered huge praise on Ravindra Jadeja after the star all-rounder entered an elite club in Test cricket on Day 3 of the ongoing two-match Test series opener against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Cricket Stadium on August 17.
Jadeja became only the fourth player in Test history to score more than 4,000 runs and take at least 350 wickets. He reached the 350-wicket mark on Day 3 of the first Test in Galle.
The left-arm spinner dismissed Keshara Nuwantha to complete the milestone, finishing with impressive figures of 3/57 from 21 overs as India bowled Sri Lanka out for 284. Amid this, Ravindra Jadeja creates history, becomes first Indian left-arm spinner to take 350 Test Wickets.
If you remove him, team balance won’t come: Mohammad Kaif’s big verdict on Ravindra Jadeja
Mohammed Kaif highlighted how important Ravindra Jadeja has remained for India, calling the seasoned all-rounder the “Kohinoor diamond” of the national team.
With Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin already retired from Test cricket, Jadeja continues to play a major role for the team, and Kaif said that the all-rounder is irreplaceable.
Mohammed Kaif said on Star Sports during the Galle Test, “Kohinoor diamond. If you remove him, your team won’t get created. The balance won’t come. He does two jobs—batting and bowling. He made his debut in 2012. It is a journey of 14-15 years. We talk about him scoring runs and taking wickets whenever required.”
Mohammad Kaif explains why Ravindra Jadeja is impossible to replace for India
The cricket pundit has cited the example of Hardik Pandya while explaining Jadeja’s value to the Test team after he achieved several milestones in the ongoing Galle Test against Sri Lanka.
The 37-year-old has now scored 4,108 Test runs at an average of 38.03 and taken 351 wickets at 25.06. Kaif also pointed towards Jadeja’s value as an all-rounder. Amid this, Mohammed Siraj’s throw nearly hits umpire, Ravindra Jadeja’s reaction goes viral.
Kaif further explained, “Kapil Dev is there. Daniel Vettori’s name is there. We are not even talking about the fielding. We aren’t able to make a team as soon as an all-rounder goes out. We have not been able to find Hardik Pandya’s replacement to date. It doesn’t seem like he is slowing down. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ashwin have gone, but he is playing.”
Ajay Jadeja hails Ravindra Jadeja’s 350 Test wickets as a massive milestone
Meanwhile, the former Indian batter Ajay Jadeja also hailed Ravindra Jadeja’s 350-wicket achievement as a massive milestone. The cricket pundit has stressed that such numbers come only after years of consistent performances and hard work.
He pointed out that no left-arm spinner has taken 350 wickets in India’s 600-Test history. Jadeja has now joined Kapil Dev, Ian Botham, and Daniel Vettori in the rare 4,000-run and 350-wicket club. He also becomes India’s first left-arm spinner to reach the 350-Test wicket mark.
The legendary Indian all-rounder finished his career with 5,248 runs and 434 wickets, Botham with 5,200 runs and 383 wickets, while Vettori collected 4,531 runs and 362 wickets.
Jadeja said during the same discussion, ”I am not a big fan of numbers. However, some numbers can be created in a day. Many players do incredible things one day. These numbers are created by performing for years, every season. 350 Test wickets is not a small thing.”
”This is a milestone in a huge journey. We could have celebrated him yesterday as well when he had two fewer wickets, and we might keep celebrating him tomorrow as well when wickets keep getting added to this.”