Ravindra Jadeja becomes 2nd Indian to achieve huge feat in Tests, joins Kapil Dev, Ian Botham in elite list
Ravindra Jadeja became only the second Indian, after Kapil Dev, to achieve an elusive milestone in Test cricket during the first Test against South Africa at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja became only the second Indian after the legendary Kapil Dev to achieve a massive feat in Test cricket on Saturday. Jadeja completed 4,000 runs in Test cricket during Day 2 of the ongoing 1st Test between India and South Africa at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata to achieve a special double in the whites.
The all-rounder joined Kapil by becoming only the second Indian to complete 4,000 runs and 300 wickets in Test cricket. Jadeja, who already has 338 wickets to his name in the longest format, needed only 10 runs to complete 4,000 runs in Test cricket. He managed to go past the 4,000-run mark during India's first innings on Day 2 of the Kolkata Test.
Jadeja scored 27 runs off 45 balls after coming out to bat for India at no.6 in the Test match. With his 27-run knock, the India all-rounder extended his tally to 4017 runs in 88 matches. He became only the 4th cricketer in the world to complete the double of 4,000 runs and 300 wickets in Tests, joining the likes of Kapil and Ian Botham in an elite list.
Players with 4,000 runs and 300 wickets in Test cricket:
Ian Botham (5200 runs, 383 wickets)
Kapil Dev (5248 runs, 434 wickets)
Daniel Vettori (4531 runs, 362 wickets)
Ravindra Jadeja (4000* runs, 338 wickets)
Kapil, who led India to their maiden World Cup triumph in 1983, amassed 5248 runs and picked up 434 wickets in 131 Tests for India. The former India captain is the third-highest wicket-taker for India in the longest format, behind only R Ashwin (537) and Anil Kumble (619). He is often regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders of all time.
Rishabh Pant claims record for most sixes in Tests
While Jadeja achieved a special double, wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant broke Virender Sehwag's record for most sixes by an Indian in Test cricket. Pant smashed two sixes en route to his 24-ball 27 to reach 92 sixes in the whites, surpassing Sehwag, who finished his career with 90 sixes for India.
Pant, who has been one of India's most consistent performers in Tests in the last few years, has managed to go past Sehwag in just 48 Tests. The swashbuckling left-hander is currently seventh on the list of batters with the most sixes in Test cricket and needs only 9 sixes to go past Adam Gilchrist (100) and claim the third spot in the elite list of batters with most sixes in the longest format.