India veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja broke the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) guidelines on the second day of the second Test match against England in Birmingham. After India's 3-1 defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, the BCCI decreed that no player will move to or from the ground on their own, they will all move together on the team bus.
He broke the rule as he arrived early at Edgbaston on Day 2 to get in some extra batting before play began, so there is no chance of any sanction. He knew that India's lower order collapsed twice in the first Test in Leeds and this time he partnered with skipper Shubman Gill to rescue India from 211 for 5 on a flat pitch.
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"All players are expected to travel with the team to and from matches and practice sessions. Separate travel arrangements with families are discouraged to maintain discipline and team cohesion. Exceptions, if any, must be pre-approved by the head coach and Chairman of the Selection Committee," the BCCI's SOP reads.
Jadeja resumed on 41, his partnership with Shubman Gill was 99, but the new-ball threat was around. "Somewhere I felt that I should go and bat extra because the ball was still new," Jadeja said. "I felt if I can see the new ball off, it would become easy for the rest of the innings. Luckily I could bat till lunch, and then Washi[ngton Sundar] also batted well with Shubman. The more you bat in England, the better it is because you never feel you are set in England. At any time a ball can swing and take your edge or bowl you."
Jadeja, who got out on 89 after getting a rare snorter, added 203 runs with Gill to help India go past 500. He felt satisfied he could contribute with the bat as well.
"When you contribute with the bat for the team, it feels great, when you are playing outside India, and the team needs you more, it feels good," Jadeja said. "From 210 for 5 to put together a big partnership to take the team forward, it is a challenge. I took it as a challenge. If you can stick around with the captain and put together a big partnership, it gives you confidence as a cricketer and a batter that in the coming matches also you can contribute" added Jadeja
After Jadeja's dismissal, Gill stitched a 144-run stand with Washington Sundar to torment England's bowling attack. Joe Root picked up Washington Sundar's wicket on 42(103), while Gill, who fuelled India's innings, saw his marathon knock conclude on 269 as India posted a daunting 587-run total on the board.