Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh hailed Ravindra Jadeja for his match-winning performance in the Delhi Test match against Australia. Jadeja returned with career-best figures of 7-42 in the second innings and took a total of 10 wickets in the match.
Furthermore, he scored a crucial knock of 26 runs in the first innings and added 59 runs with Virat Kohli. Thus, the all-rounder was awarded the Player of the Match for his fine performance with both bat and ball.
In fact, Jadeja had also delivered with both bat and ball in the first Test match despite making a comeback after five months. Furthermore, Jadeja has been super consistent with the bat in the last few years and he is averaging more than 45 in the last couple of seasons.
“I think the India all-rounders are smarter than the Aussie and far ahead when it comes to talent. Ravindra Jadeja is someone who can fit into any kind of 11, if you make a World XI, he would fit right in with the kind of form that he is in. With both bat and ball, he has been an unbelievable player for India,” said Harbhajan while speaking to India Today.
On the other hand, the Turbanator also showered praise on Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel. The duo added 114 runs for the eighth wicket in the first innings and helped India post 262 runs on the board.
“Ashwin is a proven match-winner and has done well for India and scored those very important runs in Nagpur and now in Delhi. Credit to Axar Patel as well, scoring those runs was a very special innings. On such pitches, those fifties fell like centuries. Having these three guys bat down the order is a big plus for Team India,” Harbhajan added.
Meanwhile, KL Rahul’s struggle continued as he was dismissed after scoring one run in the second innings. Harbhajan feels Rahul will benefit if goes back to playing the domestic circuit.
“I think it will be good for KL Rahul to take some time off and play some domestic cricket, try and score runs and get his confidence back up. Then bring him back, he is a quality player, there’s no doubt about it,” said Harbhajan.
Harbhajan feels the Indian opener can also go and play in County cricket in England.
“It will be better for his mindset to play some domestic cricket or somewhere in England, Country Cricket maybe to find some rhythm. Once he finds his rhythm, he can come back in the team and can always be the vice-captain or the captain later on,” Harbhajan added.
The third Test match will be played at the Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore from March 1.
