Ravindra Jadeja's gritty knock ensures India scrape through a decent score

Ravindra Jadeja's worth as a lower-order batsman was there to see once again on Friday as the left-hander composed a matured knock to help India scrape through to a decent score of 297 in their first innings in the ongoing Antigua Test against West Indies.

Resuming the second day at 203-6 with Jadeja and Rishabh Pant at the crease, the visitors were struck with an early blow as the latter fell prey to Kemar Roach. Jadeja then joined hands with Ishant Sharma to stitch a crucial 60 run partnership for the eighth wicket. The left-hander played quite beautifully and piled on the agony for the Windies bowlers as an adamant Ishant Sharma stood rock solid at the other end for over 60 balls.

After losing Sharma and Shami in quick succession, Jadeja upped the ante as Bumrah hung on in company. The southpaw belted some lusty blows and brought up his 11th fifty in Test cricket before breaking into his trademark 'sword celebration'. The all-rounder though perished to a delivery from the Windies skipper as India were bundled out below 300 in their first innings; a score that they would be happy with given the shaky start yesterday.

Jadeja's heroics don't seem to be limited with just the bat. The left-arm spinner also wooed magic with the ball to dismiss West Indies batsman Shamrah Brooks. With Windies battling to settle India's score in the first innings, Jadeja is expected to be one of Kohli's trump cards going forward in the game. Also, being India's only frontline spinner in the game he is expected to play a vital role in the 4th innings of the game.