India vs Australia: Jadeja right up there with Kumble and Ashwin - Dinesh Karthik

India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has talked highly of Ravindra Jadeja after the completion of the second Test in Delhi. The left-arm spinner, who returned to international cricket after a gap of almost five months, picked seven wickets for 42 runs in the second innings. The spell proved fatal for the Australian batters as they collapsed for 113 to set a 115-run target for the hosts. India chased down the target with six wickets in hand.

Jadeja was adjudged Man of the Match for his 10-wicket haul in the match. He grabbed the award in the first Test in Nagpur as well. The Saurashtra star picked a five-wicket haul in the first innings before scoring 70 off 185. In the second innings, the all-rounder picked two wickets again.

"He [Ravindra Jadeja] is really at the peak of his powers. He's crossed 30, and you get the feeling that he is right now at a very strong point in his life. The way he is batting, you can argue that when India goes abroad, you get the feeling that he is solid against fast bowling as a batter and gives you a lot of confidence,” said Karthik.

'Jadeja right up there with Kumble and Ashwin'

Further, the cricketer-turned-commentator reckoned that the 34-year-old was in the league of former India leg-spinner Anil Kumble and his long-time bowling partner Ravichandran Ashwin.

"When it comes to India, a ten-wicket haul is not something that's easy, but he seems to do it with consistency. As a bowler, he is right up there with Anil Kumble and Ravichandran Ashwin,” Karthik added.

Karthik also hailed Jadeja for getting in the groove even after playing international cricket after a long gap.

“It's very hard to put into context what he [Ravindra Jadeja] must have gone through in the last six months because he was well in line to be a part of the World Cup and was a very important cog in the wheel. Missing it due to a freak injury but then coming back and doing it the Jadeja way completely,” said Karthik.

Jadeja has played a total of 62 Test matches and scored 2619 runs at an average of 36.88. With the ball, he has picked 259 wickets at an average of 23.82.