Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar lauded Ravindra Jadeja after the home team obliterated Australia by an innings and 132 runs in the first Test match at the VCA Stadium, Nagpur on Saturday. Jadeja, who was returning to International cricket after a long gap of five months due to a knee injury, was able to get off the blocks.

Jadeja scalped a five-wicket haul in the first innings to help India bowl out Australia for only 177 runs. Subsequently, Jadeja scored a fine knock of 70 runs and helped India in posting a score of 400 runs in the first essay and get a lead of 223 runs.

Furthermore, Jadeja took two wickets in the second dig to mark a perfect comeback for the Indian team. In fact, Jadeja could have completed his 250 wickets in Test matches had he not overstepped when he bowled Steven Smith in the second innings.

The talismanic Indian all-rounder was awarded the Player of the Match for his all-around performance against the Aussies.

Gavaskar said on India Today, “Here is a man who has been performing regularly for India. He was out of the team due to injury, after which Axar Patel comes in and grabs his chance and that is such a fantastic thing for Indian cricket to have bench strength where players are ready.”

He added, “Jadeja’s comeback has been tremendous. We didn’t see much about his fielding as he was at mid-off and there about. But as a bowler, he was on target from the outset. As a batter, he once again showed that he is going to score more and more runs for India. His wicket has to be earned by the opposition.”

Jadeja was brilliant with both bat and ball and he will look to continue the good show for the home team in the rest of the series.

The second Test match will be played in Delhi from Friday onwards.