All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja stands on the brink of etching his name alongside Sir Garfield Sobers as India gears up for the pivotal fourth Test at Old Trafford beginning July 23. The left-handed batter is just 58 runs away from joining the legendary West Indies all-rounder as the only visiting players to score over 1,000 runs in England while batting at No. 6 or lower.
With the series currently leaning 2-1 in favour of the hosts, India find itself in a must-win scenario after a narrow 22-run defeat in the third Test. Chasing 193, India fell short despite a spirited performance from the lower order, led by Jadeja, whose batting has been a standout feature in an otherwise inconsistent campaign.
Jadeja’s exploits with the bat have seen him accumulate 942 runs in 14 Tests on English soil while batting in the lower middle order (positions 6 to 12). His average of 40.95 includes one century and seven half-centuries across 27 innings, with a highest score of 104. Should he score 58 or more runs in Manchester, Jadeja will become only the second visiting batter in history to breach the 1,000-run mark in England from such a position.
Sobers tallied 1,097 runs in just 16 innings of 11 Tests, boasting a remarkable average of 84.38. The Caribbean legend’s tally includes four centuries and five fifties, with a top score of 174.
Jadeja enters the Manchester Test in sublime form with the bat, having notched up four consecutive half-centuries in the ongoing series. His tally of 327 runs in six innings makes him the fifth-highest run-scorer in the series so far, with an astonishing average of 109.00 and a best score of 89.
However, his bowling returns have been underwhelming. Jadeja has picked up just three wickets in the series at an expensive average exceeding 110, highlighting his limited impact with the ball.
Earlier in the third Test, the 35-year-old reached another personal milestone, surpassing 7,000 international runs. He now has 7,018 runs in 361 matches and 302 innings across formats, with an average of 33.41. His international career includes four centuries and 39 half-centuries, with a highest score of 175 not out.
In Tests, Jadeja’s batting numbers are particularly impressive, 3,697 runs from 83 matches at an average of 36.97, featuring four centuries and 26 fifties. His best Test score, 175*, remains one of the finest innings played by an Indian all-rounder.
