India faced a disappointing day on the field during the first day of the Mumbai Test. After a promising start, India's batting collapsed, leaving them at 86/4 at the end of play. Ravindra Jadeja, expressing his disappointment, admitted that India's worst fears came into existence.
I didn't want to lose a series in India: Ravindra Jadeja
In the post-match press conference, Jadeja revealed his worst nightmare about losing a Test series on home soil. Unfortunately, this fear became a reality as India suffered a series defeat to New Zealand, losing the first two Tests in Bengaluru and Pune.
"I was fearing this. I didn't want to lose a series in India. But sometimes what you fear the most, comes to you. We have lost I think 5 Tests in last 12 years in matches I have played. When you lose a series after a long time, it gets highlighted a lot. We want to take learnings and move on," Jadeja said at the post-match press conference.
Despite bowling out New Zealand for a modest total of 235 runs, India failed to capitalize on the opportunity and lost control of the Test match. Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar were instrumental in dismantling the New Zealand batting lineup, with Jadeja claiming five wickets. However, India's batting woes continued as they lost wickets in quick succession, including the early dismissal of Rohit Sharma and the late departures of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammed Siraj, and Virat Kohli.
At the end of the first day, India were struggling at 86/4, trailing New Zealand by 149 runs in the series decider.
Riding on his fifer, Jadeja also achieved a big milestone in Test cricket by surpassing Ishant Sharma and Zaheer Khan to become India's fifth-highest wicket-taker. With a career tally of 314 wickets, Jadeja surpassed the previous record held by both Ishant Sharma and Zaheer Khan, who each had 311 wickets. His well-executed delivery that trapped Glenn Phillips LBW was the decisive moment that propelled him to this achievement. Jadeja's ability to adapt to varying pitch conditions was evident as he also dismissed Will Young and Tom Blundell earlier in the innings.
"Taking a fifer for India in Tests, it's always special. Felt good that I helped my team in getting breakthroughs. It wasn't an easy bowl in the heat, Washington bowled well and everyone played their roles. As a batting unit, we need a collective effort. (On overtaking Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma) I didn't know that. I look at the stats when I am not playing. Good that I'm progressing and taking wickets," said Jadeja at the end of Day 1.
