Ravindra Jadeja surpasses Bishan Singh Bedi to create new Test record for India in WTC final against Australia

• Ravindra Jadeja surpasses Bishan Singh Bedi to become India's most successful left-arm spinner in Test cricket, picking up 267 wickets in 65 matches
• Jadeja's double strike helps India restrict Australia to 123/4 in the ongoing WTC final, taking the crucial wickets of Steve Smith and Travis Head
• Jadeja's contributions with both bat and ball have been instrumental in India's fightback, with a crucial knock of 48 runs and consistent performances in the series

Ravindra Jadeja created history on Friday as he went past the great Bishan Singh Bedi to become India’s most successful left-arm spinner in the history of Test cricket. Jadeja achieved the feat on Day 3 of the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) final between India and Australia at the Oval in London. The spinner picked up two wickets during Australia’s second innings on Friday to surpass Bedi’s record.

Jadeja’s double helped India reduce Australia to 123/4 at stumps on Day 3 after the left-arm spinner bagged the crucial wickets of Steve Smith (34) and Travis Head (18). With the two wickets, Jadeja extended his wickets tally in Test cricket to 267 in 65 matches at an average of 24.25 and an economy rate of 2.44. He surpassed Bedi, who picked up 266 wickets for India in 67 matches.

Overall, Jadeja is the fourth most successful left-arm spinner in the history of Test cricket only behind the likes of Rangana Herath (433), Daniel Vettori (362) and Derek Underwood (297). Ever since making his Test debut for India in December 2012, Jadeja has faced several ups and downs in his career but has managed to establish his credentials as one of the best all-rounders in the longest format at present.

Jadeja has been in fine form for India this year ever since making his comeback from an injury and has played an instrumental role in keeping the Rohit Sharma-led side in the hunt in the ongoing WTC final. The left-hander earlier played a crucial knock of 48 runs off 51 balls during India’s first innings to rescue them after a horror start and help them post a fighting total of 296 runs on the board.

Jadeja, who came out to bat at number six, combined with Ajinkya Rahane (89) to post a crucial 71-run stand for the fifth wicket on Day 2. Rahane and Shardul Thakur (51) then joined hands for another important stand of 109 runs for the seventh wicket to take India to a respectable score. However, Australia still managed to retain a healthy lead of 173 runs after bowling out India for 296.

The Aussies have now extended their lead to over 320 runs on Day 4 with Cameron Green and Alex Carey still going strong in the middle. India will be hoping to bundle them out as quickly as possible and ensure they have a target of less than 400 to chase in their final innings.