Mohali: Ravindra Jadeja has been looking to cement his place as an allrounder in India’s Test team by contributing more handsomely and consistently with the bat.
What the left-hander did at Mohali on Day 2 of the opening Test versus Sri Lanka today put his name in the record books.
He smashed an unbeaten 175 to erase the legendary Kapil Dev’s record for the highest Test score by an Indian batting at No. 7 or lower down the order.
Kapil had scored 163 way back in 1986 – also against Sri Lanka — in the Kanpur Test.
The world record for the highest score batting at No. 7 to 11 is held by Aussie legend Donald Bradman (270), followed by Pakistan’s Wasim Akram (257 not out).
Jadeja scripted another fine record as he became the first cricketer batting at No. 7 or lower to be involved in three century partnerships – for the sixth wicket with Rishabh Pant (96), seventh wicket with Ravichandran Ashwin (61) and unbroken ninth wicket with Mohammed Shami (20*).
It was Jadeja’s highest Test score and his second century in the longest format.
After India declared their first innings closed at 574 for 8, Sri Lanka were left reeling at 108 for 4 at close on the second day.
