Former England batter Geoffrey Boycott hailed Team India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, calling the latter his favorite current cricketer, amid the ongoing first Sri Lanka-India Test at Galle. The 37-year-old produced another excellent spell of bowling on the third day of the contest, finishing with figures of 3/57 in 21 overs.
In the process, Jadeja also completed the historic feat of capturing 350 Test wickets when he picked up his second wicket in the innings. As a result, Jadeja joined Kapil Dev as the only Indians to achieve the career double of 4,000 runs and 350 wickets.
In response to Wisden posting about Jadeja’s monumental achievement on their X handle, Boycott said on his X handle:
“My favourite present-day cricketer.”
Jadeja is also one of only four cricketers to complete the 4,000-350 double, joining Daniel Vettori, Ian Botham, and the aforementioned Kapil Dev. The veteran’s outstanding bowling display has propelled India into a dominant position in the series opener against the Lankans.
After amassing 462 in their first innings, India bowled Sri Lanka out for 284, capturing a valuable 178-run lead at stumps on Day 3.
Geoffrey Boycott had high praise for Ravindra Jadeja last year
Geoffrey Boycott had high praise for Ravindra Jadeja at around the same time last year in a conversation with other former England cricketers. The former batter called Jadeja his favorite current cricketer, thanks to the latter’s ability to lift the entire team with his fielding and make an impact in all three facets of the game.
“I like (Ravindra) Jadeja. I have never met him. He is always in the game. Bowls left-arm spin, his feeling is fantastic. I’ve always thought that through your performance, can you lift the others? And he fields so brilliantly, always has energy, and he can bat. Not just Test, he does well in T20 as well,” said Boycott (via Sporting News).
Jadeja boasts incredible overall Test numbers with 4,108 runs at an average of 38.03 and 351 wickets at an average of 25.06 in 90 matches. The 37-year-old also has an extraordinary six centuries and 15 five-wicket hauls in his stellar Test career.
Edited by Venkatesh Ravichandran
