India’s star all-rounder, Ravindra Jadeja, credits his recent Ranji Trophy appearance for bringing him back to form with the ball after stellar displays in the first two ODIs against England.
Jadeja is enjoying a brilliant time during this series against England. He was the best bowler in the whole Indian bowling attack in both matches and captured three wickets in each play. While he was expressing his views after India’s four-wicket victory in the 2nd ODI at Cuttack, Jadeja said, “It is up to you to come to the challenge which depends on the form this time.”
“I am feeling really good because I am playing (50-over format) after almost two years (15 months)… after the World Cup of 2023,” Jadeja said, quoted by Cricbuzz, “For this format, you need to adjust really quickly.”
The all-rounder had delivered a good performance for Saurashtra during the Ranji Trophy match against Delhi in their second last group match. 12 wickets were taken off this bowler for both innings after bowled for 30 overs.
Jadeja added that a single domestic match ensured that he found his rhythm at a similar line and length in both Test and ODI cricket.
“Playing in that one domestic game pretty much helped me because I bowled 30 overs in that game and I had that rhythm,” Jadeja inferred, trying almost identical line and length in ODIs as in Tests. Therefore, continuity was because of the domestic game I played, and it helped me.”
Earlier, the BCCI has mandated that all contracted players must make themselves available for domestic games for their respective state teams in the event they are not participating in any international cricket. This saw a bunch of senior players including the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jadeja return back in the domestic tournament for India.
Jadeja seems to be in good touch with the ball, and India will hope to build on that in looking ahead to the next Champions Trophy, which they will have to contest with other teams in Pakistan and Dubai, UAE; the latter will host all the matches of the Indian team in the knockouts, if the team makes it.
