"I thought as long as I am playing Test cricket in India we won’t lose a series" - Ravindra Jadeja opens up after Day 1 of 3rd IND-NZ Test 2024

Team India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja expressed his surprise at the side losing their first home Test series since 2012-13 in the ongoing New Zealand affair. He conceded that losing a home series was something he had hoped would never happen during his playing days.

Yet, incidentally, Jadeja made his Test debut in the final game of the last home series India lost against England in 2012. Team India had won 18 consecutive home Test series before losing the first two Tests of the ongoing New Zealand series.

As the hosts attempt to avoid an embarrassing whitewash, the 35-year-old made his first telling contribution of the series on Day 1 of the third Test with a five-wicket haul.

Following his heroics, Jadeja said at the press conference after stumps on the opening day:

"Firstly, I had this fear… personally I had thought that I won’t lose a series in India as long as I am playing. But that too has happened. We won 18 series (at home), I thought as long as I am playing Test cricket in India we won’t lose a series but that has happened, so I am not surprised with anything (that is happening)."

Ravindra Jadeja played a massive role with bat and ball to keep India's unbeaten home Test series alive for over a decade. The champion all-rounder has picked up 314 wickets and scored 3,215 runs in his stellar 77-match Test career.

---

"When you set such high expectations and lose a series, it stands out" - Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja feels the stratospheric standards set by Team India in home Tests made the defeat to the Kiwis a massive surprise for fans around the country.

Yet, the opening day of the final Test was memorable for the veteran all-rounder as he surpassed Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma to become India's fifth leading wicket-taker in Tests.

"We have set the expectations really high. Since last 12 years we did not lose a single series. I think we have lost a total of five Test matches in which I played. I think this is a good achievement but when you set such high expectations and lose a series, it stands out and that is what is happening. When we win, we lift the trophy together. Now that we have lost the series, all 15 in the team will take the blame collectively," said Jadeja.

The ongoing third Test is delicately poised after the opening day despite Jadeja's heroic bowling efforts.

After bowling the visitors out for 235 in their first innings, India slumped to 86/4 in reply at the close of play on Day 1.