"His batting average is better than many of your top-order batters" - Ajay Jadeja lauds Ravindra Jadeja's knock in IND vs BAN 2024 1st Test
Ajay Jadeja has lauded Ravindra Jadeja for playing a responsible knock in India's first innings of the first Test against Bangladesh. The former India captain pointed out that the spin-bowling all-rounder has been more consistent with the willow than many top-order batters in the last few years.
Jadeja scored an unbeaten 86 off 117 deliveries on Day 1 of the series opener in Chennai on Thursday, September 19. The hosts ended the day at 339/6 after being asked to bat first on a slightly seamer-friendly pitch.
While reviewing the day's play on Colors Cineplex, Ajay Jadeja noted that Ravindra Jadeja has lent stability to the Indian batting lineup in recent times.
"He has gotten better day by day and since the time he has got the belief, his batting average is better than many of your top-order batters, and especially if you see in the last little while, he has gone far ahead. He has given stability to this team," he said.
The cricketer-turned-commentator added that Ravichandran Ashwin, who has similar ability with the bat, is more adventurous and is therefore not as consistent as his fellow spin-bowling all-rounder.
"We are praising Ashwin a lot but Ravindra probably gives more stability to this team. I am not just talking about this innings. If you see the last few years, Ravichandran Ashwin has the same batting skills but he plays a little flamboyantly, and the averages also reflect that over a period of time," Ajay Jadeja observed.
Ashwin joined Jadeja in the middle when India were reduced to 144/6 at the fall of KL Rahul's wicket. The duo stitched together an unbroken 195-run partnership to bail their team out of a slightly precarious situation.
"If you had sent him ahead today, his job was to play responsibly" - Ajay Jadeja on Ravindra Jadeja
![Ravindra Jadeja struck 10 fours and two sixes during his innings. [P/C: BCCI]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/09/07c45-17267539172088-1920.jpg?w=500)
Ajay Jadeja pointed out that Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin adopted contrasting approaches during their knocks.
"If you had sent him (Jadeja) ahead today, his job was to play responsibly, and since Ravichandran Ashwin came down the order, his anger was justified. He started with anger but ultimately it was about the partnership. Ravindra has scored whatever he has and the rest he will score tomorrow. Today Ashwin went ahead," he said in the same discussion.
The former India opener acknowledged that Ashwin was the more attractive player on Thursday.
"However, it was enjoyable to watch Ashwin today. Even I will say that, although I am also Jadeja. You have to agree today that the Chennai boy did an amazing job. It's not that Jadeja was lacking anywhere but when someone has his birthday, you wish him, and similarly, you are wishing Ashwin today," Ajay Jadeja stated.
Ashwin smashed an unbeaten 102 off 112 deliveries with the help of 10 fours and two sixes. He was the aggressor in his partnership with Jadeja, with the latter primarily content playing second fiddle.