Ravindra Jadeja's 5 best T20I performances
Star Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has announced his retirement from T20I cricket. The all-rounder made his decision to retire from the shortest format of the game public on Sunday, June 30, with an Instagram post.
Jadeja was part of the Indian playing XI that defeated South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2024 final on Saturday at the Kensington Oval. He scored two runs off two balls after coming out to bat in the final over. With the ball, he got just one over, in which he conceded 12 runs.
Although Ravindra Jadeja's performance in the T20 World Cup 2024 final was not anywhere near his best, he has produced some extraordinary performances for India in the T20 format in the past. Here's a list of his five best T20I performances.
#5 1/16 and 2 run-outs vs Australia, MCG, 2012
Ravindra Jadeja won his first Man of the Match award in T20Is for a spell of 1/16 in a match against Australia back in 2012. Melbourne Cricket Ground hosted a bilateral T20I between India and Australia on February 3, 2012.
India bowled Australia out for 131 runs in 19.4 overs. Praveen Kumar and Rahul Sharma bagged two wickets each, while Jadeja bowled an economical spell of 1/16 in three overs. He dismissed David Hussey (caught and bowled) when he was on 24. Apart from his bowling, Jadeja made an important contribution in fielding by helping in running out Aaron Finch and George Bailey.
The Men in Blue won the match by eight wickets, with Gautam Gambhir scoring an unbeaten half-century. Still, Jadeja took the Man of the Match award home for his exceptional fielding and bowling.
#4 3/16 vs Namibia, T20 World Cup 2021
Although this was a dead rubber T20 World Cup match, it was a game at the grand stage, and Jadeja bowled a fantastic spell of 3/16. He trapped Stephen Baard LBW, got Craig Williams stumped out, and then dismissed JJ Smit caught out.
Namibia managed only 132/8 in 20 overs. In reply, India reached 136/1 in 15.2 overs and won by nine wickets. Jadeja deservedly won the Man of the Match award for his three-wicket haul.
#3 Ravindra Jadeja's best bowling performance - 3/15 vs Scotland, T20 World Cup 2021
While the match against Namibia was a dead rubber, India needed a big win against Scotland to keep themselves alive in the race for the semifinals. India crushed the Scots by eight wickets, thanks to a three-wicket haul from Ravindra Jadeja.
Scotland were bundled out for just 85 runs in 17.4 overs, with Jadeja dismissing Matthew Cross and Michael Leask LBW and rattling Richie Berrington's stumps. He won the Man of the Match award in this game as well.
#2 44* (23) vs Australia, 2020
Jadeja never hit a half-century in his T20I career, but he chipped in with crucial cameos on multiple occasions. One of his best knocks came against Australia at the Manuka Oval on December 4, 2020.
Despite a half-century from KL Rahul, India were down to 114/6 in that game. Jadeja then launched a counter-attack with an unbeaten 23-ball 44, smashing five fours and a six. India finished with 161/7 in 20 overs and won by 11 runs eventually.
#1 Ravindra Jadeja's best batting performance - 46*(29) vs England, 2022
Jadeja recorded his highest T20I score of 46* two years ago in a bilateral T20I match against England at Edgbaston. India started well in that game on July 9, 2022, and were 61/1 at one stage. However, England bounced back with five wickets in quick succession, reducing India to 89/5.
Ravindra Jadeja then played a magnificent inning of 46 runs off 29 deliveries, smacking five fours. India touched the 170-run mark and won the game by 49 runs.