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Ravindra Jadeja has long been the heartbeat of India’s Test side – a cricketer who has evolved from a promising left-arm spinner into one of the most complete all-rounders of the modern era. Whether with bat, ball, or in the field, Jadeja’s presence has consistently shaped matches across conditions, making him indispensable to India’s red-ball plans. On Day 2 of the first Test against South Africa at the Eden Gardens, that legacy grew even stronger.
Ravindra Jadeja equals Kapil Dev’s iconic record
The historic moment arrived when Jadeja pushed a delivery through the covers to cross the 4,000-run mark in Test cricket. By doing so, he became only the second Indian – after the iconic Kapil Dev – to register the remarkable double of 4,000 Test runs and 300-plus wickets. It is a milestone that not only reflects Jadeja’s consistency but also underlines his standing among cricket’s elite all-rounders.
Jadeja now joins Kapil in the rare club, showcasing how impactful he has been over the years in both disciplines. Kapil finished with 5,248 runs and 434 wickets, while Jadeja is already past 338 wickets and counting – a testament to his longevity and match-winning ability.
Jadeja becomes fourth player in Test cricket history to achieve the special double
The achievement becomes even more extraordinary when placed in a global context. Jadeja is now just the fourth cricketer in Test history to complete 4,000 runs and 300 wickets — a list that includes:
- Kapil Dev (India): 5,248 runs & 434 wickets
- Ian Botham (England): 5,200 runs & 383 wickets
- Daniel Vettori (New Zealand): 4,531 runs & 362 wickets
- Ravindra Jadeja (India): 4,000+ runs & 338 wickets*
Jadeja reached the milestone in only his 88th Test, making him the second-fastest among the four. Only Ian Botham achieved the double quicker, in 72 matches. This highlights just how rapidly Jadeja has risen, especially considering his early years were dominated by his bowling.
Day 2 battle at Eden Gardens keeps Test delicately poised
The milestone came during a tense passage of play for India. After bowling out South Africa for 159 on Day 1, India were looking to seize full control but ended up with a narrow 30-run lead, managing 189 in their first innings.
KL Rahul’s fighting 39, a breezy 27 from Rishabh Pant, and Jadeja’s valuable contribution steadied the innings, but South Africa’s Simon Harmer proved the big disruptor, finishing with an excellent 4/30. The Eden pitch has already shown signs of variable bounce and notable turn — conditions tailor-made for a player of Jadeja’s skillset as the match heads into its decisive phases.
