It’s Jadeja’s day out as India rakes up huge total 

After an unbeaten 175, all-rounder returns to snap up one of four Sri Lankan wickets to fall 

Ravindra Jadeja doesn’t appear like a man with a rapacious desire for success. His batting is neat, bowling compact and he glides around the field like a joyous, self-content child on a brand-new skateboard. There is some flamboyance, but mostly in sword celebrations to mark milestones.

Yet, for all the simplicity and minimalism, there is an innate capacity to be smart. He may not be a better bowler than R. Ashwin, with whom he is perceived to be in competition. He may never bat better than any of those above him.

But, he flows like water, filling all possible gaps. He makes this Indian team tick. He is the side’s extra lung.

On day two of the first Test against Sri Lanka at the IS Bindra PCA Stadium here on Saturday, Jadeja was at his best. The 33-year-old scored a chanceless 175 n.o., a career-best score and his second Test century.

He added 130 runs to his overnight score off just 146 balls and was also involved in three 100-plus partnerships — with Rishabh Pant, Ashwin and Mohammed Shami — as India racked up a mammoth 574. Twenty-four overs later he struck with only his second ball, trapping Dimuth Karunaratne (28, 71b, 5x4) in front to end the Lankan skipper’s dogged stay.

The visitors eventually finished on 108 for four at stumps; Lahiru Thirimanne and Dhananjaya de Silva were both out lbw to R. Ashwin, the former to a ball that held its line while the latter paid the price for a reckless slog-sweep.