Ravindra Jadeja becomes second fastest to the 300 Wickets/3000 Runs grand double, behind Ian Botham

If none of those suffice, the wily Saurashtrian has gunned down some more in Kanpur, during the second Test of the ongoing series against Bangladesh.

India captain Rohit Sharma had cheekily mentioned the “milestone” tussle between R Ashwin and Jadeja during the England series earlier this year. Ashwin hogged the spotlight at home in Chennai last week, bagging his 37th Test five-for and completing a century-five-wicket double.

Kanpur had Jadeja back in focus as he broke into India’s coveted 300 Club, a quaint hall of fame in the country’s 92-year Test journey with only six occupants before him. In his 74th Test, Jadeja became the fourth-quickest Indian bowler to the mark, behind Ashwin (54), Anil Kumble (66) and Harbhajan Singh (72), splitting the spinners from the seam trio of Kapil Dev (83), Zaheer Khan (89) and Ishant Sharma (98).

Twelve years since his Test debut, Jadeja has progressively emerged from the shadow of the great Ashwin to make a lead spin-bowling all-rounder’s spot his own, leaving a unique imprint on the job in the modern era. Unsurprisingly, the pair has surged as India’s most successful Test bowling pair with 553 wickets from 54 matches.

But his first wicket in Kanpur propelled Jadeja’s achievements to a higher platform. The 35-year-old completed an XI of illustrious all-rounders who have earned the special Test double of 3000 runs and 300 wickets. Bangladesh No. 11 Khaled Ahmed’s dismissal made Jadeja the second fastest to the staggering landmark, behind the legendary Ian Botham who got there in 72 Tests. Jadeja is also way ahead of his compatriots Kapil Dev (83) and Ashwin (88).

What truly elevates Jadeja’s performance is his inimitable all-round presence in Indian wins over the last decade. Since January 2013, India have won 64 of the 112 Tests they have played. Featuring in 72 Tests in the period, Jadeja has been part of 46 wins – the seventh-most among all Indians.

Interestingly, Jadeja is the first and only player yet to record 2000 runs and 200 wickets in Test match victories. To put the feat in context, all-round behemoths Garry Sobers (3097) and Jacques Kallis (6379) have registered more runs in wins, but have not matched up to Jadeja in the wickets column. Kallis, arguably the greatest all-rounder in international cricket, had 182 wickets and Sobers 104.

The three form a rare trio of all-rounders who have managed over 2000-plus runs and 100-plus wickets in wins, with Ashwin poised to join Jadeja in the 2000-200 club when he adds 57 more runs in Indian wins.

Over 64 percent (2004 of 3122) of Jadeja’s career runs have resulted in wins, with his bowling prowess lending more impetus to the all-round success. 216 of Jadeja’s 299 previous scalps have fashioned India’s victories. The 72.74 % success rate is the highest among all spinners in Test history who have accorded for at least 200 wickets in wins.

As he becomes the first Indian left-arm spinner to reach 300 Test wickets, a tremendous achievement in itself, Jadeja will also be lauded for his champion all-round presence in making India a superpower in whites.