There isn’t enough reason to doubt Ravindra Jadeja’s position on the Indian XI. When he’s fit, he’s been a definite selection for the long position in all formats. What he brings to the table in all three areas of the sport is unique and, often, unbeatable. But in recent times, his numbers have been going lower in T20Is. The bowling he uses isn’t efficient when playing on flat surfaces. The slam-bang style of batting that is expected at No.5 or lower in this style of play isn’t a natural instinct for the left-handed player.
Jadeja hasn’t had the best IPL over the past three years. His performance with his team, the Chennai Super Kings, has been decent at perfect. In the last year, Jadeja hit 267 runs, which, according to the report, is the highest he has scored since 2011. However, the impact was not there. In the years since MS Dhoni slid down the order, Jadeja has been given an increased number in the batting order of CSK. However, the veteran has been unable to take advantage of the chance using both hands. Jadeja has flashes of brilliance, but the regularity of large-hitting that is required in this format has been lacking for quite a while.
In the bowling department, as far as it is concerned, Jadeja has been brilliant on pitches that bring something for spinners, but on decks with flat surfaces, Jadeja has taken to the next level.
Despite his inconsistent form, Indian selectors chose the seasoned all-rounder for this year’s T20 World Cup. However, his performance in the opening two games of the tournament has been far from the best. Jadeja didn’t even bat and only bowled one ball in India’s win of eight wickets in the match against Ireland. When they played Pakistan, He was dismissed to a gold duck. He was only given two overs. He gave up ten runs without results.
It is obvious that captain Rohit Sharma prefers Axar Patel as bowler and batter. Axar was elevated as No.4 in the match against Pakistan and was the preferred spinner in the low-scoring match. It’s not to say that Jadeja isn’t capable of turning things around. Jadeja is capable of doing it. However, the clamor about the role of Kuldeep Yadav and Sanju Samson is increasing. The Indian support team is informed about it.
In a press conference ahead of India’s next game in Group A against the USA, the bowling coach of India, Paras Mhambrey, told reporters that he’s satisfied that the head coach, Rahul Dravid, and the batting coach, Vikram Rathour, are chatting with Jadeja to encourage Jadeja to be more motivated.
“I think it’s a team game, right? It’s going to be 11 guys. You really don’t expect all of them coming into form. It’s going to be performed every game that will happen. For me, I personally feel whatever conversations Rahul and Vicky are having around, I’ve been pretty happy with it. And you expect a one-odd game out there,” Mhambrey added.
Jadeja only needs one good game.
The bowling coach said it’s a long-running tournament and that seasoned player Jadeja requires just one game to return to form. He also noted that it’s not only Jadeja who’s struggling; Shivam Dube and others are also having issues.
“It’s a long tournament. I think…someone like Jadeja, who’s so vastly experienced, he just needs a game out there to just get his roots around and feel around. And we know that with the talent and experience he has, he’s going to go ahead and win your games. So that confidence we have is not only in Jadeja but honestly with someone like Dube and others as well,” said Dube. Added.
The coach also said it’s crucial that the team supports the players, particularly in such a competition as the T20 World Cup.
“You can have one odd game and people will have conversations saying you are given a game, and you’re going to have one bad game. That’s fine, but the team will back you. And that’s what is important in a tournament like this,” said the coach. Added.
