All-round Jadeja impresses in Kochi win

Ravindra Jadeja continued his good form in the IPL, top-scoring with 29 off 18 deliveries for Kochi Tuskers Kerala against Kolkata Knight Riders to take them to a par total of 132, and then taking two crucial wickets in a narrow six-run victory.

At 55 for 3, Kochi had lost their most experienced batsmen, Mahela Jayawardene, Brendon McCullum and Brad Hodge. Jadeja came in at No. 5 and ensured that the innings did not get bogged down, nudging the ball around before opening up to slam sixes in each of the 13th, 14th and 15th overs. He welcomed Brett Lee in his second spell with a pulled boundary in front of square leg but his attempt to swing Lee for another straight six found long-on.

Jadeja then chipped in with the ball as well, coming in as early as the third over. He bowled opener Manvinder Bisla with the last ball of his second over as Kolkata slipped to 37 for 3. Manoj Tiwary though kept Kolkata in the hunt with a patient innings. With 35 needed from 24 balls, Jadeja came on to bowl his last over.

He hardly gave anything away, and the pressure got to Tiwary, who came charging down the track. Jadeja saw this and bowled a wide delivery down the leg side which Tiwary missed and was stumped. This was the wicket Kochi needed, and the target proved to be too much for Kolkata's tail.

Jadeja has so far this IPL season displayed the talent that got him in to the Indian team before he lost out to Yusuf Pathan, and today's performance was another example.