Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra said that Ravindra Jadeja is the best all-rounder on the planet at the moment. Jadeja took 5-wicket haul before hitting a fifty in the ongoing 1st Test against Australia.
New Delhi ,UPDATED: Feb 10, 2023 23:45 IST
Aakash Chopra says Ravindra Jadeja’s batting has improved. (AP Photo)
By India Today Web Desk: Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra heaped praise on Ravindra Jadeja for his performance in the ongoing first Test against Australia, calling him the best all-rounder on the planet.
Jadeja, who returned to international cricket after nearly five months after recovering from a knee injury, took a five-wicket haul on Day 1 of the Nagpur Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. The Indian complimented his bowling with his batting, hitting a half-century on Day 2 of the match.
Chopra stated that Jadeja has improved by leaps and bounds, adding that sometimes it feels like he is batting way too low in the order for the ability he has as an all-rounder.
“In my book, he is the best all-rounder on the planet right now. His batting has improved leaps and bounds,” Chopra said on ESPNcricinfo. “The reason for that improvement is just self-belief.
“He always had the shots. I has scored 2-3 centuries in first-class cricket, he knows how to score runs and stitch innings together. I think he lacks the confidence in leaving the ball. Sometimes he gives the feeling that he is batting way to low in the order for the ability he has. Jadeja – the batter – has been sensational,” added Chopra.
Meanwhile, former Australia captain Ian Chappell agreed with Chopra and said that Jadeja is a smart cricketer. Chappell said that Jadeja is very good at all three aspects of the game – batting, bowling and fielding.
“Jadeja is getting vital runs for India. I think it is something about his cricketing intelligence that he has improved remarkably as a bowler and that is a good sign. But he has also improved remarkably as a batter. He has always been a good fielder. He is very good at all three aspects of the game. His steady improvement in batting and bowling tells you that he is a smart cricketer,” said Chappell.
