Mohali: Shane Warne’s ‘Rockstar’ scripted history by slamming a career-best unbeaten knock of 175 on Day 2 of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Mohali. Ravindra Jadeja beat Kapil Dev’s long-standing Test cricket record for the highest score by an Indian batsman batting at No. 7 or lower.
For 35 years, Kapil held the record. While batting at No. 7, he scored 163 against Sri Lanka in Kanpur in December 1986. On Saturday, Jadeja surpassed that mark with an innings marked by fiercely.
Jadeja also became only the third Indian to score over 150 in Test cricket while batting at No. 7 or lower. Apart from Jadeja and Kapil, Rishabh Pant is the only other batsman to score 150 or more runs while batting at that position. In 2019, the India wicketkeeper-batsman made an unbeaten 159 against Australia in Sydney.
When captain Rohit Sharma opted to declare the Indian innings, Jadeja was unbeaten on 175 and Shami was batting on 20.
In his flawless innings, Jadeja struck three sixes and as much as 17 fours while scoring at a remarkable strike rate of 76.75.
On Day 1, he was content to play second fiddle to Pant, who was having a field day. He took his time on Day 2, restarting at 45, to create another good stand with Ashwin (61). But once he got to three figures, Jadeja was unstoppable.
In the 103-run partnership between him and Shami, the aggressive left-hander scored more than 80% of the runs.
The sword is ready to sweep more and more heads. What a transition this man is showing on field. A 100 of determination, character and perseverance 🔥
Tribute for #ShaneWarne is done by his favourite rockstar #RAVINDRAJADEJA 🥺❤️ pic.twitter.com/SC4wkxMdtQ— Partha axom (@ParthaP46328473) March 5, 2022
Fans called it a perfect tribute to Australian legend Shane Warne. As the world mourned the shocking death of 52-year-old Warne in Thailand’s Koh Samui, Jadeja, it seemed, is still trying to fathom the reality of the tragedy that has hit millions of cricket fans hard. “It was a shocking news. The moment I heard it, I was so sad and I wasn’t feeling well. I found it difficult to believe that this can be true”, Jadeja said when asked about his time spent with Warne.
When he joined the Rajasthan Royals camp in the first edition of the IPL in 2008, he was already a U-19 World Cup champion, but it was Shane Warne’s conviction in the youngster’s abilities that made him an instant hit with fans.
The Royals won the first IPL, and Jadeja played a key role, albeit as a finisher, working his way into Warne’s good graces and earning the nickname “The Rockstar.”
