Kolkata Test: Jadeja's spell puts India on cusp of win
Kolkata Test: Jadeja's spell puts India on cusp of win
A magical spell from star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has seemingly put India on the verge of a massive win in the ongoing Test series opener against South Africa at Kolkata's Eden Gardens.
His four-wicket haul meant SA, in their second innings, were 93/7 at stumps on Day 2.
As they lead by just 63 runs, India look all set to prevail on Day 3.
India posted 189/10 in their first innings
Responding to SA's first innings score of 159/10, India started Day 2 at 37/1.
KL Rahul (39) and Washington Sundar (29) batted well in the first hour before throwing away their starts.
Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja (27 each) were the only other Indians with 20-plus scores as the team was all out for 189.
Marco Jansen and Simon Harmer shared seven wickets.
Injury scare for Gill
Notably, Indian skipper Shubman Gill got retired hurt after scoring four runs, and did not return to bat thereafter. His absence, which hurt India's batting, was due to a neck spasm.
KL Rahul completes 4,000 Test runs
With his 15th run, Rahul completed 4,000 runs in Test cricket.
As per ESPNcricinfo, he has raced to 4,024 runs at 36.58 in the format, as his tally includes 11 tons and 20 half-centuries.
Over 3,500 of his runs have come while opening the innings.
Notably, Rahul top scored for India, managing 39 off 119 balls. He smoked four fours and a six.
Pant becomes batter with most Test sixes for India
Pant is now India's all-time leading six-hitter in the history of Test cricket.
He broke the tie with the legendary Virender Sehwag, who smoked 90 sixes in India colors.
Pant smashed 27 off 24 balls during his stay, smashing two fours and as many sixes.
This knock has taken him to 92 sixes and 3,454 runs at an average of 44.28 in Test cricket.
4,000 Test runs for Jadeja
Jadeja, who scored 27 off 45 balls, went past 4,000 Test runs during his stay.
Across 88 Tests for India, Jadeja has recorded 4,017 runs at 38.62. His tally includes six tons and 27 fifties.
The other all-rounders with at least 4,000 Test runs and 300-plus wickets are Ian Botham (5,200 and 383), Kapil Dev (5,248 and 434), and Daniel Vettori (4,531 and 362).
Four-fer for Harmer
Harmer finished his spell with 4/30 from 15.2 overs.
Playing his 13th Test, Harmer has raced to 56 wickets at an average of 24.67.
While this was his sixth Test four-fer, the spinner also owns a solitary fifer.
A veteran of First-Class cricket, Harmer has raced to a whopping 1,004 wickets from 235 games at 26-plus (4W: 50, 5W: 58).
Three wickets for Jansen as well
Fast bowler Marco Jansen also delivered a vital spell - 3/35 from 15 overs.
Playing his 20th Test, he has raced to 80 wickets at an average of 22.42.
He has been sensational against India, scalping 27 wickets at 17.77.
Corbin Bosch and Keshav Maharaj got one wicket apiece.
Another poor show from SA batters
The Proteas batters surrendered in the third innings, particularly against Jadeja, who claimed four of the seven fallen wickets.
While Kuldeep Yadav struck twice, the remaining scalp belonged to Axar Patel.
Temba Bavuma, who returned on 29* alongside Bosch (1*), was the only SA batter to cross the 15-run mark on the day.
As a result, SA finished at 93/7, leading by 63 runs.
Jadeja joins Broad on this list
With his fourth wicket, Jadeja completed 250 scalps in home Tests. He also owns 2,154 runs in the nation at 39.16.
As per Cricbuzz, the veteran became the second player after Stuart Broad (in England) with the Test double of 2000-plus runs and 250-plus wickets in a country.