Ravindra Jadeja, an all-rounder for Team India, has established himself as a dependable player to win games, and he has made his best performances against Australia in Test matches. He has achieved 68 wickets in 13 Tests with an average of 18.16 against the Aussies. Batsmen from Australia, similar to other countries, have struggled to play against Jadeja’s spin and swift speed when the circumstances are suitable for his style of bowling. He is a formidable player to contend with when the conditions are in his favor.
He maintained his impressive performance against the Australians even after a long break due to injury. He earned the figures of 5-47 to dismiss the visitors for 177 in the first innings of the ongoing first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Nagpur. Notably, this was his second five-wicket haul at the venue against Australia, after he had accomplished the same feat in 2017.
In that regard, let us analyze Ravindra Jadeja’s top three bowling displays in Tests against Australia.
4-62 vs Australia (3rd Test; Sydney 2021)
Ravindra Jadeja was essential during the first innings, making a major contribution to India’s successful draw which kept the series alive. At one point, Australia looked to be in a strong position at 206-2 with Labuschagne and Smith firmly in control. Jadeja ended the important union by taking Smith’s wicket, before sending Wade back to the pavilion. He quickly dealt with the lower order, delivering two perfect yorkers to dismiss Cummins and Lyon for no runs.
His final stats were 4-62, but he was unable to compete in the rest of the competition or the series due to an injured thumb. The injury occurred when he was batting in India’s first innings and was hit by Mitchell Starc on the thumb.
6-63 vs Australia (2nd Test; 2017)
Team India achieved one of their most significant triumphs on home turf by beating Australia in the second Test of the 2017 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, winning by a margin of 75 runs after their defeat in Pune. Ravindra Jadeja played a major role in the memorable victory, taking 6-63 in the first innings.
The hosts were in a difficult position after being bowled out for 189. The Australians had a strong start with the bat, but the left-arm spinner dismissed Steve Smith and Matt Renshaw to begin the collapse. He was also responsible for the wickets of Peter Handscomb and Matthew Wade and quickly finished off the tail, leaving Australia at 276.
5-58 vs Australia (4th Test; Delhi 2013)
Ravindra Jadeja’s first Test five-wicket haul was an incredible achievement. The 4th Test of the 2013 Border-Gavaskar Trophy saw both teams fighting for pride with Australia determined to avoid a humiliating 4-0 defeat following the ‘Homework’ gate. With Australia’s second innings only 10 runs behind, the match seemed poised to go either way, however, Jadeja’s remarkable bowling figures of 5-58 clinched the victory and he was named Player of the Match for his outstanding performance.
He sent Glenn Maxwell and David Warner back to the pavilion with balls that could not be hit. The left-arm spinner bowled a ball that Steve Smith didn’t play, resulting in it hitting the wickets.
