India vs Australia: Ravindra Jadeja, Cheteshwar Pujara praised by SCA after clinical show in 3rd Test

New Delhi: The Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) applauded the performances of two of their local players — Ravindra Jadeja and Cheteshwar Pujara — for their performances in the third Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. The Indian duo made headlines with instrumental performances at Ranchi, a fact noted by the SCA in a tweet where it claims that “Saurashtra’s lions had made the Australians shiver”.

On the domestic front, both Jadeja and Pujara play for Saurashtra in the Ranji Trophy. The duo propelled Saurashtra to the Ranji final in the 2015-16 edition, where they lost to Mumbai.

Although the third Test ended in a draw, Virat Kohli’s side seemed in quite a dominant position, thanks to the two players.

Jadeja spun his web to claim nine wickets against Australia in the third Test, in the process overtaking teammate Ravichandran Ashwin at the top of the ICC Test rankings for bowlers. Meanwhile, Pujara led India’s onslaught of the visitors’ bowlers and went on to score 202 off 525 balls. This also earned him a place above Kohli to become the top-ranked India batsman in Tests at No. 2, behind Australia captain Steven Smith.

The Lions of Saurashtra roar and Team Australia shivers @BCCI @cheteshwar1 @imjadeja #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/CtyzRPEW8B

— Saurashtra Cricket (@saucricket) March 19, 2017

“In the recent Test matches against Australia, these two players (Jadeja and Pujara) have played most important roles,” claimed an SCA release.

“The SCA acknowledges and appreciates their valued contribution in the world of cricket that reflects the spirit and glory of Saurashtrians in cricket,” it added.

The much-anticipated series is perfectly poised at 1-1 as both teams head into the deciding fourth Test in Dharamsala on 25 March. Having said that, the Saurashtra duo will have to deliver a similar display as they did n Ranchi to take the Border-Gavaskar Trophy away from the Australians.

With inputs from PTI