Ravindra Jadeja will need to prove himself abroad: Nari Contractor

With the five wicket haul in the recently concluded 2nd Test against Sri Lanka, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja toppled Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan to claim the top-rank in the ICC Test all-rounders rankings in addition to his No. 1 Test bowler ranking. The Men in blue overpowered a weak Sri Lankan side to clinch the three match Test series 2-0. However, despite Jadeja’s heroics, he will still have a lot to prove to justify his recently earned tag.

Former Indian skipper and a 14-year-old Jadeja’s mentor, Nari Contractor believes the all-rounder will face an uphill task when he travels abroad- the ultimate test to prove his worth. Jadeja is one of the best examples of a truly versatile all-rounder. He will have an important role to play when Team India travel overseas to play in England, South Africa, and Australia. The pitches there are not so batting-friendly and only a top-class cricketer with the required tenacity and technique can only succeed.

Jadeja to miss Pallekele Test

Speaking about the prodigal youngster, Contractor said as per the quotes on mid-day, “The biggest advantage is that he has been playing under conditions that are favouring him such as in Sri Lanka where the ball is turning by a yard. He has been scoring runs also and is gradually going up the ladder, but the real test will come when we tour abroad where wickets are not going to favour the spinners — places like South Africa, England, Australia. At one stage you rise in your life and this is the stage where he and Ashwin are going one step ahead. I am happy, but let’s wait and see how they perform abroad. That is where their value will be really assessed,”

Jadeja, who was clinical in guiding India to an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-Test series will, however, miss the final Test at Pallekele. The left-hander was suspended from the next Test after his accumulated demerit points reached six within a 24-month period.