A-Jinklo!
A-Jinklo (जिंकलो in Marathi means we won)
It has been what is called as an exhilarating test match and what better when it ends with a Series win. It was team India that was certainly under pressure as a loss here might mean a series loss and that would derail the Home Series win run domination. Lots have been written about the SPAT that happened about the two captains and both teams wanted a point or two to prove by winning and having the last say. And boy! did Ajinkya and lads reply with grit and vengeance.
The biggest setback was Captain Kohli was not fit which meant Ajinkya had to lead from the front and fit into the winning shoes of Virat. Not only did he marshal his troops beautifully, he once again showed he has safe pair of hands and good reflexes as he took blinders standing in the slips. Being a captain for the entire series and playing as a Stand-in captain are very different as both have different set of pressure. Putting everything aside and focussing on the job in hand, Ajinkya displayed his skills beautifully.
One person that was highly underrated was Sir Jadeja! Looking back of how he has performed both with the bat and the ball, he certainly justifies the title suggested him by the some prankster on Wikipedia. Specifically talking about the second innings of the fourth match, it was that one hour of crucial partnership between Jadeja and Saha that helped India gave a lead of 37 runs. More than the runs, it was the time they spent on the crease helped to lift the motivation and stay above the game as a wicket there would have meant that India would be trailing by some runs. Taking wickets at crucial times and breaking partnerships has been the highlight of Jadeja’s bowling. Three wickets in the second innings, immaculate, disciplined line and length, and the way he quickly finishes the over helps to get the over rate better. It was Dhoni who had shown confidence in him and nurtured him during his stint that has made him a far better player. Kuldeep Yadav and his mystery deliveries have raised enough of question mark over Australian batsman. With Jadeja and Kuldeep bowling well in tandem, it has taken the pressure away from Ashwin who is a top-class bowler. It is a good sign how the spin department is growing and performing under pressure.
As far as the batting department is concerned, KL Rahul has grown many folds. As many as 5 half centuries in 4 matches, crucial knocks in the top order in the series has made him a complete batsman and has cemented his place as a dependable opener. Virat was in the lack lustre form while batting, but that happens sometimes and he will surely fight back given the fact that he does not like to lose and his buoyancy never lets him be bogged down for long. Pujara is enjoying the best time of his life so far in the middle and has been scoring tons of runs and converting the starts into centuries and double centuries. He has been the guiding force in the team. The worrying part is the form of Karun Nair. After a triple ton in the debut match, he has not been able to work wonder with his willow. Saha is doing what best he can do and not only behind the stumps, in between the 22 yards, he also gets involved in partnership which helps the bowlers to bowl for.
Besides captain Smith and Matt Renshaw, no one was consistent with the bat. It was Maxwell, Shan Marsh and Handscomb’s effort that bailed out the Aussie out of the third match which India could have well and truly won. Smith is in the top form of his carrier and has been scoring loads of runs against India taking to his overall tally to 20 centuries. Was a good overall series for Steven O’Keefe and Nathan Lyon rolling their arms and collecting wickets.
Over all with Sir Jadeja being the Man of the Match and awarded as man of series, India has really closed on the year of home series on a high which will help India perform better in the away series. Wishing everyone Happy Gudi Padwa and wont Ajinkya be happy to say (A)- Jinklo!
