Last updated:November 02, 2024, 5:15 PM IST

Ravindra Jadeja has become the second Indian after Ravichandran Ashwin to take 50 wickets in a World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.

Ravindra Jadeja is just one wicket away from his third 10-wicket haul in Test cricket. (Image: AP)

Star Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has become the second Indian after Ravichandran Ashwin to take 50 wickets in a World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. The left-arm spinner took a four-wicket haul on the second day of the third and final Test against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Jadeja returned to form in the last game against the Kiwis, where he made his way through the New Zealand middle order, dismissing the likes of Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Ish Sodhi and Matt Henry, ending with a four-wicket haul the game of the second day.

He also improved his wicket tally over the previous WTC cycle from 2021 to 2023, where he took 47 wickets from 13 matches.

The Saurashtra-based cricketer has been an important part of the Indian Test team in recent years, where he has emerged as a prolific all-rounder with the ability to take the game away from the opposition with both the ball and the bat.

Due to his heroics with the ball, India are now on top with a target of XXX runs to help India redeem themselves after suffering crushing defeats in the first two matches with a win in the 3rd Test, their first Had to accept a series defeat on home soil after 12 years.

Jadeja is also the third highest wicket-taker in the ongoing WTC cycle. Ashwin tops the wicket-taking charts with 62 wickets, followed by Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood in second place with 51 scalps.

Jadeja's form with the ball will be a positive sign for the Indian team as they look forward to their next outing after the New Zealand series. He put in an outstanding bowling performance in the first innings where he also took five wickets. In total, he took nine wickets in the Test and could be eyeing his third 10-wicket haul in Tests.

The tour to Australia will be a massive clash between the top two Test sides and Jadeja's form with the ball could be crucial as the team would hope to defend the Border-Gavaskar title once again on Australian soil.

On the second day of play, New Zealand recorded a lead of just 143 runs. With time remaining in the Test, India will be confident of achieving the target. But India's spin deficiencies could be put to the test if the visitors can produce another impressive performance with the ball.