Ravindra Jadeja have come of age in a big way
Ravindra Jadeja after winning the Champions Trophy in England
It was around this time last year that Team India were reeling under a home loss to England in a tightly fought Test series and a home series against Australia was coming forward. The main root to India’s problems had been the spot left vacated by the retirement of VVS Laxman.
Batsmen like Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh were tried at that spot but the move did not pay any dividence. It was at this time the team management and captain MS Dhoni decided to give Ravindra Jadeja a go at that spot and it was a decision which proved fruitful.
Jadeja had an excellent first class season at that time playing for Saurashtra scoring two triple centuries against Gujarat and Railways. Jadeja not only provided stability with the bat but also came in as a handy 3rd spinner on rank turning Indian pitches and a 5th bowling option for MS Dhoni, something Indian captains have not enjoyed much.
Ravindra Jadeja picked up 24 wickets in the four match test series against Australia In the IPL that followed, he scored 201 runs at a strike rate of 135 proving himself as an able match finisher and picking up 13 wickets. Jadeja played a significant role in India’s ICC Champions Trophy triumph in England finishing as the highest wicket taker in the tournament with 12 wickets.
Coming in to bat at no.7, he did not get much opportunities but played a crucial 47 not out innings off 29 balls against South Africa in the opening match which set the tone running for the tournament. Shortly after the Champions Trophy, the Indian team left for a tri-series in West Indies involving the home team and Sri Lanka. In a tournament which India won, Jadeja picked a further 8 more wickets and quick runs with the bat. The month of October saw a home ODI series against Australia where Jadeja played the role of a container, giving only five runs per over in a series where totals like 359 where chased down easily.
Jadeja’s line and length play a very significant role behind his success with the ball. He bowls a very nagging line and it is very rare that Jadeja deviates from the stumps. Unlike other Indian spinners, he does not get much spin and turn from the track but his immaculate straight line and length prove him to be a handy on any surface.
Another advantage for Jadeja is that he bowls his overs very fast. The speed with which he completes an over hurries a batsman into false strokes. This comes in very handy in limited overs cricket where suddenly a batsman finds a lot of Jadeja’s overs are finished quickly without lot of runs being conceeded which causes him go for false shots. His quick bowling also helps keep the over rate in check.
Altogether, Ravindra Jadeja is a complete package. A finisher, a miserly spinner and an excellent fielder. He is a player any captain would want in his side. It is not for anything that his fans call him Sir Ravindra Jadeja.