Out of order at the top

Jadeja urges top-order to fire in Boxing Day Test against Australia

MELBOURNE: Star India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja on Saturday said lack of runs from the top-order builds pressure on the lower-order and called for an improved performance from the batting unit in the Boxing Day Test here.

Jadeja played a crucial role in the rain-hit third Test against Australia at Brisbane, scoring a gritty 77 in the first innings to help India secure a draw.

“Top-order runs are very important when you play outside India, especially in Australia and South Africa. When the top-order doesn’t score runs, the responsibility and pressure increase on the lower-order,” Jadeja said during an interaction at the MCG. “Hopefully, the top-order and the middle-order do well in this Test. As a team, we need the top order to perform. If everyone contributes in the batting unit, the team will do well.”

India’s top-order struggled in Brisbane, barring opener KL Rahul, who scored a valiant 84. The rest of the top and middle-order crumbled, but Jadeja, playing his first match of the tour, kept India afloat.