Jadeja looking forward to facing off against Dhoni
After the Indian Premier League (IPL) draft that was held on Tuesday, many former teammates will face off against each other as Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals are suspended for the next two years. Pune and Rajkot, the two new franchises, made their first five respective picks from the two banned teams.
Pune secured the services of India's limited-overs captain, MS Dhoni along with Ajinkya Rahane, Ravichandran Ashwin, Steven Smith and Faf du Plessis. On the other hand, Rajkot secured their local boy, Ravindra Jadeja in addition to Suresh Raina, Dwayne Bravo, Brendon McCullum and James Faulkner.
Jadeja has come a long way in becoming the player he is now. After making his IPL debut as a 20-year-old for Rajasthan Royals in 2008, Jadeja will be playing for his fourth IPL franchise when he features for his home team, Rajkot.
After missing out on playing in the IPL in 2010 due to irregularities in his contract, Jadeja played the 2011 season for the now-defunct Kochi Tuskers Kerala. In 2012, Jadeja was bought by Chennai Super Kings for just under INR 10 crore, thus becoming the most expensive player of that year's auction.
Facing Dhoni
Playing under Dhoni for CSK rejuvenated Jadeja's career as he rose to become the Number 1 bowler in the International Cricket Council (ICC) ODI Rankings in August 2013. He is the only the fourth Indian bowler who has achieved the aforementioned feat after Anil Kumble, Kapil Dev, and Maninder Singh.
When asked about how he would tackle the threat of Dhoni while bowling to him in the forthcoming IPL, Jadeja acknowledged that it would be a big test to get the better of his limited-overs captain.
“It's a big challenge to bowl against Dhoni, particularly in shorter version of the game, as Dhoni has proved himself as a best finisher of the game, but I will do my level best to perform well,” Jadeja said.
Jadeja excited to feature for a team from his state
Jadeja was also looking forward to play for his home team in the ninth edition of the IPL and continue his excellent form.
“It's a different kind of feeling which can not be expressed while playing for home team and I hope that I would be doing well in the IPL. I have been selected in the Rajkot team as a good player and there is a chance for me to go further if I could play good cricket in coming IPL season,” he said.
Jadeja has been in brilliant form of late as he picked up 36 wickets in six innings for Saurashtra in the initial part of the Ranji Trophy Group Stages. He followed his domestic form on the international level too as he picked up 23 wickets in the four-Test series against South Africa which India won 3-0.
Currently, Jadeja is playing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Saurashtra and will hope to continue impressing and give the national selectors something to think about before the squad to tour Australia is finalised.