Ravindra Jadeja is a daunting bowler to face in the sub-continent: Steve Smith

Steve Smith, the ICC’s number.1 ranked Test batsman, admitted that he finds Ravindra Jadeja tough to face in sub-continent conditions. In India, the left-arm spinner has 157 wickets in 33 Test matches with seven five-wicket hauls and best figures of 7/48. The tweaker generally is known for his immaculate line and lengths, and also for not giving the ball much air.

Smith, the prolific Australian batsman, felt that Jadeja’s actions don’t have much alterations, making it tough for batters. Smith lauded the southpaw for hitting the right channels on a consistent basis. The 30-year-old put forth his opinions while talking to Ish Sodhi, the New Zealand spinner, in a podcast by 2008 IPL champions Rajasthan Royals.

He is very difficult to play: Steve Smith

“Jadeja in the sub-continent… why he is so good because, he hits that good length and one ball skids on and one spins, and it just all looks same out of the hand. I think consistency in length is key and then having at least one variation,” Smith was quoted as saying during the chat.

“So, I think for a leg-spinner, having a good googly, or a slider is crucial and for fingers spinners, being able to change the pace without changing the arms speed too much. I reckon there a few around the world who do that, Jadeja is one of them. He is very difficult to play,” he added.

Smith doesn’t have an overly stupendous record against Jadeja. In six Tests, the Saurashtra cricketer has gotten rid of Smith four times. Out of them, three were LBW and bowled, showing Jadeja’s skill to bowl at the stumps.

Though he has strained against Jadeja, Smith’s numbers in the country are worth envying. The right-hander has 660 Test runs at an average of 60 with a top score of an unbeaten 178 at Ranchi back in March 2017. In ODIs, Smith has 399 runs in India at an average of 49.87.

His top score of 131 came in January this year at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Smith was set to play for the Royals in the 2020 IPL, but the tournament has been postponed from March 29 to April 15 due to the massive coronavirus outbreak.