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Ravindra Jadeja has etched his name into Test cricket history by achieving a rare dual milestone during the ongoing first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. The Indian all-rounder reached 350 Test wickets on the third day of the match, simultaneously becoming only the fourth cricketer to accumulate both 4,000 runs and 350 wickets in the format. Jadeja’s landmark wicket came when he dismissed Keshara Nuwantha, whose attempted drive off an away-turning delivery resulted in an edge that deflected toward fielder Shubman Gill for the catch.
This achievement places Jadeja alongside three legendary all-rounders: India’s Kapil Dev, England’s Ian Botham, and New Zealand’s Daniel Vettori. Among these elite performers, Jadeja stands out for his efficiency, becoming the only member of this exclusive quartet to reach the 4,000-run and 350-wicket threshold within 100 Test appearances. Kapil accumulated 5,248 runs across 131 Tests, while Botham managed 5,200 runs in 102 matches and Vettori collected 4,531 runs in 113 Tests. With 4,108 runs in just 90 Tests, Jadeja has demonstrated exceptional productivity in both batting and bowling dimensions.
The milestone reinforces Jadeja’s standing as one of the game’s most prolific left-arm spinners. His 350 wickets position him third among left-arm spinners in Test history, trailing only Rangana Herath and Vettori. Notably, among left-arm spinners with at least 125 Test wickets, only Keshav Maharaj maintains a superior strike rate than Jadeja’s remarkable 58.1. His consistent contributions with both bat and ball have made him invaluable to India’s Test squad over the past decade, enabling strategic flexibility in team composition.
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Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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