Stepping on the field with just one fast bowler and three spinners is not everyone’s idea of playing a Test match. But Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s India did it two matches ago at Mumbai, and went a step further at Nagpur, taking on England in the final match of their series with four spinners.
And smiling away at that decision is Saurashtra allrounder Ravindra Jadeja who made his debut in the classical version of the game at the VCA Stadium here on Thursday.
Having called up to the national squad on the strength of a statistically superb domestic season, including two triple hundreds and 24 wickets, he was keen to grab the opportunity with both hands. And he was doubly delighted that it was Sachin Tendulkar who handed over his Test cap, as was the case when he made his ODI debut.
Energetic on the field and excited to have picked up two important wickets, those of Jonathan Trott and dangerman Kevin Pietersen, the 24-year old Jadeja justified captain Dhoni’s decision to have Ishant Sharma as the lone quick bowler.
“Four spinners will help us in the later stages of the game. As the match goes on, the wicket will become more helpful for spinners, especially in the second innings, as we can utilise the bowlers’ foot marks. Currently, the wicket is very flat. It is neither helping fast bowlers nor spinners,” he said post match session.
He said the basic idea of the team was to keep it straight and simple. “There is no turn. The wicket is flat and very slow. We just tried to bowl stump-to-stump and not give them easy runs or fours. Then they may play wrong shots and get out. Mahi bhai told me to bowl straight on this wicket,” he said.
Admitting that he was nervous when the game began, he said it was a dream come true for him to be playing for India in Tests.
“I was a bit nervous wearing the whites for India. But I felt very happy when I dismissed Trott... my first wicket in Tests. I also delighted that Sachin Tendulkar, who gave me my One-day cap, today gave me the Test cap too.
“Like any cricketer, I had a dream of playing in a Test match for my country and it is a dream come true for me,” he said. “My Ranji Trophy game ended only on the 11th and here I am playing a Test on the 13th. It all just happened so fast.”