Ravindra Jadeja has endured constant doubts about his Test credentials but the flamboyant all-rounder is convinced he belongs in the longest format of the game after putting India on the verge of a series victory against Australia yesterday.
The 28-year-old made his Test debut in 2012 but has always been labelled as a bits-and-pieces player whose nagging left-arm spin and swashbuckling batting as well as agile fielding were more suited to limited-overs cricket. But India’s current 13-Test home season has seen the emergence of Jadeja the Test player. The bearded cricketer with tousled hair has stepped out of spin partner Ravichandran Ashwin’s shadow and has replaced the off-spinner as the number one test bowler in the rankings.
Jadeja proved his worth again yesterday, smashing 63 and claiming three wickets to put India on the verge of victory over Australia. “It feels good to be considered a responsible and valuable member of the side who can contribute — whether it’s with his batting, bowling or fielding,” Jadeja told reporters at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium.
“Feeling good that I’m doing well in Test cricket. I played many one-dayers and this year I played quite a few Test matches and did well, which gives me a lot of satisfaction. I consider myself suitable for both the formats. It gives me confidence that I can play and do well in the long version.”
Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins treated Jadeja to a barrage of bouncers on a lively track. “It was a tough situation as the ball was seaming and bouncing and their fast bowlers were bowling 140 (kmph) plus,” he said. “Today I realised that what exactly people mean when they talk about challenges of Test cricket.”
Jadeja’s bowling has been a revelation this season and his 25-wicket tally means the spinner is likely to finish as the highest wicket-taker in the series. 
Asked about the secret behind his bowling success, Jadeja said with a chuckle, “Well, my shoulder is now on auto-mode. Everything is happening automatically.”
Jadeja and Australian wicketkeeper Matthew Wade were seen exchanging words on at least a couple of occasions in a tense first session. “I just told him (Wade) that once you lose and are free, we will have dinner together!”
Jadeja celebrated his second successive fifty with his trademark twirling of the bat held like a sword. “You’d be seeing it again and again,” added the all-rounder. India need 87 runs with all 10 wickets in hand to seal victory today.

Saha and Jadeja were fantastic: Ashwin
Dharamsala, India: India’s premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin yesterday heaped praises on Ravindra Jadeja and Wriddhiman Saha for their gritty knocks that helped the hosts to take a 32-run lead over Australia in the first innings.
Resuming the Day Three of the fourth and final Test here yesterday at 248/6, overnight batsmen Ravindra Jadeja (63) and Wriddhiman Saha (31) added 69 runs to take India past 300-run mark. “It was magical. You couldn’t have asked for more. Jaddu and Saha batted really well. We get our noses ahead,” Ashwin said after the day’s proceedings.
“This morning was really special. Saha and Jaddu were fantastic. It has been a magical season. I told Jaddu there was a hundred for the taking. He is a very talented batsman, if he puts his head down, he can get that hundred. Hope there is more tight batting from Vijay and Rahul, and that they can get fifties for themselves,” he added. Ashwin, who scalped three wickets in the second session, also lauded pacers Umesh Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar for bowling tight spells that helped to build the pressure on the Australians. “Great spells by Umesh and Bhuvi. Australia batted really well yesterday too, we had to buckle down,” Ashwin said.
At the end of the day’s play, India had scored 19/0 and needed only 87 runs more to win the final Test and also the four-match Test series.