Ravindra Jadeja induces a false shot from Virat Kohli in the nets

Ravindra Jadeja, the Indian left-arm spinner, has been hard to pick. Batsmen around the globe haven’t quite been able to get under his skin, especially in Test cricket. India lately won their opening Test versus South Africa by 203 runs in Visakhapatnam and the southpaw had a massive role to play. The Saurashtra cricketer became the fastest left-armer to notch 200 wickets in the format.

He accomplished the milestone in the first innings with his second wicket of the match. Overall, Jadeja accumulated six wickets, which included four scalps in  the second innings. Along with Ravi Ashwin, the left-armer didn’t allow the batters to get into a rhythm with his accuracy and variations in pace. He’ll look to carry forward the momentum in the second Test in Pune, starting October 10.

Ravindra Jadeja outclasses Virat Kohli

Ahead of the game, Jadeja honed his skills in the nets where he troubled even Virat Kohli, the Indian captain, who’s known to smother spin-bowling without much fuss. In a video doing the rounds on social media, Jadeja was seen rattling Virat’s woodwork. From around the wicket, Jadeja hurled in a delivery on and around the middle-stump region. Kohli seemed to have read the line perfectly.

But he misread the length to some extent. The right-hander went on to the backfoot in order to cut the ball away through the off-side. However, he was in no position to make a proper connection. Virat was beaten all ends up and the leather cannoned into the middle stump. Kohli was bemused by the ball. The likes of Keshav Maharaj can definitely take a note about how to catch Virat napping.

Here is the video

Left-arm spinners around the world, are you watching? #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/ozrcmeO44l

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) October 9, 2019

Virat having a great time

India are currently on top of the table in the ICC World Test Championship with 160 points after winning the first three Tests in their journey. Albeit the 30-year-old Virat hasn’t quite been at his very best with the bat in hand, he has captained the national team with dignity.

If India manage to win the second Test, they will strengthen their position at the helm. Most importantly, Virat and Co will win back-to-back Test series after thumping the West Indies in the two-match series.