Ravindra Jadeja (Image: Debasis Sen)
Lord’s 2014, and England had given India a green top. Despite Ajinkya Rahane’s fine first-innings ton, India were far from safe going into the second innings. And when MS Dhoni got dismissed leaving Murali Vijay stranded, hopes of an Indian win seemed remote. In walked Ravindra Jadeja. Two hours later, we saw the first sword dance. Jadeja’s 50 set up the match. Thanks to Ishant Sharma’s super bowling effort, India won a famous victory, which also owed much to Jadeja’s grit.
He did the same in Australia in that famous away series win in 2021. With Rahane, captaining in Virat Kohli’s absence in Melbourne, it was Jadeja who swung the match decisively in India’s favour with the bat. And he did so again on Sunday night with Kohli batting like a magician. But then, Kohli needed support. In the words of Mohammed Siraj on the post-match show, “Jaddu bhai ke baad sab tail-ender the [After Jaddu Bhai, everyone was a tail-ender].”
The importance of the Jadeja wicket can’t be overemphasised. New Zealand still had a chance and even Kohli would have found it difficult to do it all alone. Jadeja made sure there was no flutter. No anxiety and tension. Cool and composed, Jadeja closed off all escape routes and did his best to make sure that Kohli got to the 49th hundred.
On Indian soil, he has always been superb. In spin-friendly conditions, Jadeja has tormented Australia, England and South African over the last few years. On occasions, he has even outdone Ravi Ashwin, the premier spinner. That’s why he is the first pick in the Indian XI, not to forget his fielding. Yesterday was a rare off day on the field, which he more than made up for with the bat.
Right through the World Cup, Jadeja has been the shining star with both bat and ball. He has bowled beautifully in the first few games and his unbeaten 40 made sure India now sit comfortably on 10 points from five games.
Not too long ago, Jadeja was injured. An injury that consumed much newsprint and stopped him from playing in the T20 World Cup in Australia in October 2022. The team management copped a lot of flak from fans for not looking after Jadeja, and on his return to international cricket, there was enough pressure on him to deliver. True to his warrior image, he did. Picking up key wickets and scoring important runs in the Test series against Australia, he yet again played a pivotal role in one of India’s best series wins, which helped the team to qualify for the WTC final.
And he has carried that form into the World Cup.
Come October 29 at the Ekana stadium, Jadeja will come out to firm up his legacy. A few more wickets and some important runs, and he will have settled the debate. Jadeja, the perfect all-rounder for these conditions, has turned a new page. He can no longer be labelled a one-format player. He is as good as anyone, whether you play with a white ball or red. He can lead the attack on spin-friendly wickets, pick up wickets and stem the flow of runs.
The sword dance hasn’t come out yet in this tournament. As in the IPL earlier this year, he could be saving his batting best for the final. But being a team man, he will hope that such a contribution isn’t needed. If it is, Jadeja will be ready. Few would disagree that he is the best outfielder in world cricket. And while saving 10-odd runs every game, he also picks vital wickets and scores handy runs.
Four years ago, in England, Jadeja was on the fringes, playing just two matches, including the semifinal loss to New Zealand. Many saw him as a spent force in ODI cricket, more than half a decade after his all-round brilliance had led India to the Champions Trophy in 2013. But you never write such players off. Rohit Sharma didn’t, and in 2023, Jadeja is once again the heart and soul of this team.
The post No Sword Dance Yet, But Jadeja the Warrior Steps Up Again for India appeared first on RevSportz | Latest Sports News.
Lord’s 2014, and England had given India a green top. Despite Ajinkya Rahane’s fine first-innings ton, India were far from safe going into the second innings. And when MS Dhoni…
The post No Sword Dance Yet, But Jadeja the Warrior Steps Up Again for India appeared first on RevSportz | Latest Sports News.
