Ace Indian cricket team all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja turned 31 years of age on December 6. And on his big day, India is also facing West Indies in the first T20I of the three-match series in Hyderabad. Recently captain Virat Kohli heaped praise on Ravindra Jadeja, who has gone on to become an extremely important part of the Indian cricket team across all the three formats.
Kohli stated that he is presently enjoying the best phase of Ravindra Jadeja’s career and the team wants to maximize from the same.”He is probably in the best batting form of his life. This is really his best phase as an all-rounder and we want to maximize that,” he said on the eve of the first game against the West Indies.
Jadeja’s evolution of late has primarily been on his focus on batting. Earlier, the left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder used to make his presence felt with the ball at large, besides his extraordinary efforts as a fielder. However, of late, the senior cricketer has quickly gone on to score runs in Tests.
That has helped the side go with six batsmen in the line-up with Ravindra Jadeja coming in at number six on most occasions. His exploits have helped him come ahead of Wriddhiman Saha and fellow spin all-rounder R Ashwin.
Jadeja, who wasn’t a regular feature in the ICC 2019 World Cup, is a likely candidate for the ICC World T20 in 2020. He has all the attributes of making his presence felt and helping Team India on a consistent basis. Therefore, one expects him to make the most out of the limited-overs series against West Indies this month.
Here we look at his evolution and performances of late.
Ravindra Jadeja has been a prime asset for Team India – career stats
The celebrated all-rounder made his ODI and T20I debut against Sri Lanka in the year 2009. He also made his Test debut against England in 2012 in Nagpur. The player, who is known to pull out the iconic sword celebration on achieving a personal milestone with the bat has scored one Test ton in 48 matches alongside 14 half-centuries.
He has 1,844 runs at an average of 35.64 with the bat. He also averages 24.64 with the ball. That’s a healthy feat for an all-rounder.
In ODIs, he’s scored 11 fifties till date. He has 2,128 runs from 156 ODI matches to date.
Jadeja, who is known to vary his pace well to deceive batsmen, has claimed 211 wickets in Tests, 178 scalps in ODIs and a further 33 in T20Is.
Recently, the player became the second-fastest to 200 Test wickets among Indian spinners, after team-mate R Ashwin. Jadeja achieved the feat in his 44th Test. He is also the fastest left-arm bowler to claim 200 Test wickets. He achieved the feat on the third day of the first Test in Visakhapatnam against SA.
Ravindra Jadeja and his redemption tale in CWC 19
The left-arm spinner was out of favor from the playing XI during the ICC World Cup 2019 in England and Wales. However, his moment of redemption came against New Zealand in the semi-final. India went on to lose the match by 18 runs, however, Jadeja came calling out and won many hearts.
The swashbuckling left-handed batsman played an impressive knock of 77 runs off 59 balls to almost pull off a miraculous chase for India. It was a tricky target for the side and Jadeja stood tall to take India close. He has since been in terrific form for the Virat Kohli-led side.
At one stage, India was tottering at 5/3. Jadeja entered the field and played the role of a savior. He brought a billion hopes up when he started smashing the Kiwi bowlers all over the park before getting being dismissed for 77 runs.
Many felt that if Jadeja would have somehow hung on for another dozen balls, the result would have been very different. However, the cricketing world was full of praise for Jadeja.
Jadeja’s evolution in Tests a remarkable feat
Of late, Ravindra Jadeja has been a strong feature for Team India in Tests. He has claimed 21 wickets this year. His best moment came against South Africa in the three-match series. He claimed 13 scalps and formed a lethal partnership with R Ashwin.
With the bat, he has scored five half-centuries with a best of 91 against the Proteas in Pune. In eight Tests, he has scored 440 runs at a staggering average of 62.85. He has smashed 34 fours and 10 sixes.
Ravindra Jadeja has made it a habit of coming in and accelerating for Team India. His exploits give the side immense time to declare their innings and get more time to bowl at the opposition. The star cricketer is currently ranked as the second-best all-rounder in the ICC Test Rankings for All-rounders.
When you see him be so crucial for aside, it only lifts the mood of the camp and the skipper can trust his abilities to breathe more freely.