Today as he turns 34 let us relive that knock and some of his best fielding effort.
Follow Us
Ravindra Jadeja was not taken seriously when he first appeared on the scene by many, but his actions won over the doubters and haters, and he now ranks among the elite of Indian spin bowling. In an era when fellow spinner R Ashwin’s artistry was bound to overshadow him, Jadeja kept his senior colleague on his toes and frequently stole the spot when conditions allowed India to play just one spinner. He was a captain’s dream: arguably the fastest man on the field and the best fielder during his tenure, he went on to become an important lower-order batter.
Jadeja was never a purist’s hope, but the good news was that he never tried to be one. Since making his India debut, the southpaw’s career has been a roller coaster ride. He is not a vicious turner of the ball, but he has frequently been India’s No. 1 spinner at home and away, winning India games, and then quickly falling out of favour for one bad day at the office. That is how he lost his spot in the ODIs following the Champions Trophy final. But team management had the foresight to keep him in the World Cup 15 for the 2019 WC, owing to his fielding and ability to clear the fence with the bat.
Read more: All you need to know about the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup
In the semifinal against New Zealand across two days, he displayed all three of his qualities: 1-34 with the ball, a brilliant catch and a run-out, and a brilliant half-century. Ravindra Jadeja couldn’t lead India to victory on a dreary Wednesday afternoon at Old Trafford, but his 59-ball 77 was a resounding response to anyone who dared to label the Saurashtra man a “bits and pieces cricketer.” Today as he turns 34 let us relive that knock and some of his best fielding effort.
