Ravindra Jadeja is among the best all rounders in the world across formats. His all round ability was recently on display in the first test match of the two match series between India and New Zealand in Kanpur. A much-improved batter Jadeja has time and again shown how he has come of age as an all rounder both with bat and ball. He has a habit of taking crucial wickets but in recent times, his ability with the bat has grown manifold. Ravi Jadeja played a crucial knock with the bat in the first innings of the Kanpur test match. With India losing a few quick wickets, Jadeja made 50 off 112 balls with 6 boundaries against the bowling class of Kyle Jamieson and Tim Southee who were both difficult to handle. In the last innings, with the test match hanging in the balance, Jadeja picked up 4 wickets including the crucial dismissals of Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor to break open the match. Best in the business Indian batting legend VVS Laxman considers Jadeja to be among the best 3 all rounders in the world. "I think for me, it's Ben Stokes who is the No. 1 Test all-rounder in the world, No. 2 will be Jason Holder and Ravindra Jadeja will be No. 3 after those two. The way he batted in this Test match shows that he's got a lot of change in his temperament, in his mindset. I think he is showing and displaying a lot more temperament to be successful in trying conditions against quality fast bowlers. But for me a great all-rounder is one who straightaway walks into the Playing XI, either as a batsman or a bowler. Now, Jadeja doesn't do that." "Ben Stokes automatically walks into that England side just as a pure batsman and it's the other way around for Jason Holder. Even if Holder doesn't contribute with the bat, he walks into that West Indies side as a pure bowler. With Jadeja, you find him giving that valuable contribution, with the bat, with the ball and he's a live wire on the field, but Stokes for me is the No. 1 all-rounder in the world." The list goes on Jadeja has been plagued by injuries of late and missed the last test match of India's most recent tour to Australia, then missing the home test series against England and the final test of the home test series against New Zealand as well. The South Africa series is the latest addition to the list.
