Ravindra Jadeja etched his name into cricket history on February 6, 2025, as he became the fifth Indian bowler to reach an incredible milestone of 600 wickets in international cricket. The momentous achievement came during the first ODI of a three-match series between India and England at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. Jadeja’s performance was a testament to his class and skill, as he played a pivotal role in dismantling England’s batting lineup with a magnificent display of spin bowling.
In this match, Jadeja’s three-wicket haul was crucial in India’s efforts to bowl England out for 248 runs. Jadeja’s performance also had a significant impact on the record books. He went past James Anderson in the list of players with the most wickets in ODIs between India and England, surpassing Anderson’s tally of 40 wickets to take the top spot in this elite list. Jadeja’s outstanding performance further cemented his legacy as one of the finest all-rounders in world cricket.
This achievement was just one more chapter in Jadeja’s remarkable career, which has seen him emerge as a force to be reckoned with on the international stage. As of now, Jadeja joins an illustrious list of Indian bowlers who have achieved extraordinary feats in international cricket. He is now among the greats, including Anil Kumble, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Harbhajan Singh, who have all played pivotal roles in India’s bowling attack over the years.
In this match, Jadeja was introduced into the attack in the 15th over, and from the very first delivery, he was in control of the situation. His ability to get the ball to turn sharply was evident, and his mastery over spin came through clearly as he quickly made his mark in the game. Although Axar Patel bowled ahead of him, it was Jadeja’s experience and composure that proved decisive. He was in charge when it came to crucial moments in the match.
Jadeja’s first breakthrough came when he trapped Joe Root in front of the stumps with a quicker delivery that turned just enough to beat the inside edge of Root’s bat. Root, known for his technical solidity, was caught off guard by the ball’s turn and was given out LBW. Jadeja’s second wicket came when he removed Jacob Bethell, who had looked to accelerate the innings after a well-played half-century. Bethell, who had been eyeing a big score, tried to cut loose but was undone by Jadeja’s sharp spin, which caused him to misjudge the delivery.
The third wicket came in the form of Adil Rashid, who tried to play an aggressive slog-sweep, only to lose his stumps in the process. Rashid’s wicket marked the final blow to England’s resistance, and Jadeja’s brilliant spell was one of the key highlights of India’s dominance in the first ODI.
The match was not just about Jadeja’s heroics, though. Harshit Rana, making his debut for India, also played a crucial role in dismantling England’s batting order. He too claimed three wickets, helping India bowl England out in under 50 overs. Despite England’s strong start, India’s bowlers, led by Jadeja, managed to restrict them, never allowing the English batsmen to settle. The visitors, who had been beaten 1-4 in the T20I series, found themselves in a difficult spot again as they were bowled out well before the allotted 50 overs.
Jadeja’s achievement of 600 wickets is a remarkable feat and further reinforces his importance in India’s cricketing setup. His ability to perform consistently across formats and his match-winning contributions with both bat and ball make him one of the most valuable players in international cricket today. With his stellar performance against England, Jadeja has further solidified his place among the all-time greats in the game. As he continues to perform at the highest level, cricket fans around the world can expect many more such milestones from the champion all-rounder.
