Local hero Jadeja scored a century and then took a five-wicket haul to lead India’s record-breaking 434-run win over England in Rajkot, which gave the home team a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
India lost the opening Test of the series in Hyderabad, but then came back to register back-to-back wins in Visakhapatnam and Rajkot.
“This is a special ‘Man of the Match’ (award) at my home ground. I would like to dedicate this award to my wife. She has been working hard behind the scenes…She always gives me confidence,” said Jadeja in a BCCI video.
A few days before the Test in Rajkot, Jadeja came out in defence of his wife when the cricketer’s father, Anirudhsinh, alleged that Rivaba created a rift in the family and his son hasn’t been the same since marrying her.
Talking about the win in Rajkot, Jadeja joined skipper Rohit Sharma when India were precariously placed at 33/3 and both scored centuries to bail the team out of trouble with a big partnership. Jadeja ended up with 112, while Rohit scored 131.
Set a massive target of 557 to win, England succumbed to Jadeja’s bowling skills, which yielded figures of 5/41 for the left-arm spinner and the visitors folded up for just 122.
“It is a special feeling to take a five-wicket haul in the second innings. And that too, a hundred and a five-wicket haul in the same Test is special,” said Jadeja in the video.