Team India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja expressed his astonishment at the team losing their first home Test series since 2012-13 during the current series against New Zealand. He admitted that he had hoped to never experience a home series defeat in his career.
Interestingly, Jadeja made his Test debut in the last match of the previous home series India lost to England in 2012. The team had enjoyed a streak of 18 consecutive home Test series victories before losing the first two matches of the New Zealand series.
As the hosts strive to avoid a humiliating whitewash, the 35-year-old made a significant impact on Day 1 of the third Test with a five-wicket haul. After his outstanding performance, Jadeja stated at the press conference following the end of play on the first day:
“Firstly, I had this fear… personally I had thought that I won’t lose a series in India as long as I am playing. But that too has happened. We won 18 series (at home), I thought as long as I am playing Test cricket in India we won’t lose a series but that has happened, so I am not surprised with anything (that is happening).”
Ravindra Jadeja significantly contributed with both bat and ball to maintain India’s unbeaten home Test series record for over a decade. In his impressive 77-match Test career, the champion all-rounder has taken 314 wickets and scored 3,215 runs.
“When you have such high expectations and then lose a series, it really stands out”- Ravindra Jadeja
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Ravindra Jadeja believes that the high standards set by Team India in home Tests made the defeat to New Zealand a major shock for fans across the nation.
However, the opening day of the final Test was significant for the veteran all-rounder as he surpassed Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma to become India’s fifth all-time leading wicket-taker in Tests.
“We have set the expectations really high. Since last 12 years we did not lose a single series. I think we have lost a total of five Test matches in which I played.”
“I think this is a good achievement but when you set such high expectations and lose a series, it stands out and that is what is happening. When we win, we lift the trophy together. Now that we have lost the series, all 15 in the team will take the blame collectively,” said Jadeja.
The third Test is finely balanced after the first day, despite Jadeja’s impressive bowling performance. After dismissing the visitors for 235 in their first innings, India struggled to 86/4 by the end of Day 1.
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