Lower-middle order contribution vital for India, says Jadeja

All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja said on Monday India's lower middle-order batting has been more than useful against England.

India's lower middle-order batting has contributed crucial runs against England series so far and exhibited their usefulness in the ongoing third Test at Mohali.

India were 204/6 at one stage in response to England's first innings score of 283. But Ravichandran Ashwin (72), Ravindra Jadeja's best ever Test score (90) and Jayant Yadav (55) handy contributions pulled India to 417, a lead of 134 runs.

Ashwin then led from the front, claiming three wickets to reduce England to 78/4 at stumps on day three of the match at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) I.S. Bindra Stadium here on Monday.

"If lower-middle order contributes well, then it's a plus point for every team and it's a good sign for us that all have contributed well till now," Jadeja told reporters after the day's action.

"In Test cricket it all depends on the situation, if your team is in good position then obviously the opposition feels the pressure and hence everything looks good then," he added.

Commenting on the batting, off-spinner Jayant Yadav, who scored his maiden fifty said that his confidence has grown with this innings.

"Really enjoyed getting maiden Test fifty. Really enjoyed batting with Jaad. Definitely the confidence has grown with the wickets and the runs. If I bat well, I can feel it in my bowling," Yadav, who also picked up one wicket in the second innings said after the day's play.

"The best thing about this team is it didn't make me feel I was playing for the first time. I didn't feel out of place in the dressing room. They shared experience with me that might help me," he added.

--IANS

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