5 Best Performances Of Ravindra Jadeja In International Cricket

You have to be an exceptional cricketer when the legendary Shane Warne labels you as a ‘rockstar in the making’. Ravindra Jadeja, born on 6th December 1988 in Jamnagar, Gujarat was just 20 when he met Shane Warne in the IPL while playing for Rajasthan Royals. The team won the tournament and began Jadeja’s rise in cricket as an all-rounder.

Jadeja soon made his limited-overs debut in 2009, and Test debut in 2012. First under MS Dhoni, and later Virat Kohli, the 32-year-old has been a regular feature for the Indian team across formats. He may not be the first-choice spinner or a top 6 batsman, but he has been India’s best all-rounder in the past decade. Be it his batting, bowling, or fielding, the southpaw always gives his best and keeps the opposition on their toes.

5 Best Performances Of Ravindra Jadeja In International Cricket:

India vs New Zealand, ICC World Cup semi-final 2019, Manchester

The semi-final of the 2019 World Cup against New Zealand is often known as the ‘Ravindra Jadeja game’ – albeit the Indian team lost it – as the left-hander put on a phenomenal all-round show in all three departments. Bowling first, Jadeja had the best bowling figures in the team – 1/34 in 10 overs – and also inflicted a crucial run-out of Ross Taylor.

Then came Jadeja’s innings, which will be the most memorable for fans. In the chase, India was in deep trouble at 92/6. Jadeja came in and launched a counter-attack on the Kiwi bowlers. He built a partnership with MS Dhoni and made a quick 59-ball 77.

After completing his half-century and his sword celebration, the left-hander gestured towards the commentary box to Sanjay Manjrekar, who has been critical of Jadeja’s place in the eleven with his ‘bits and pieces’ jibe. India lost the game and was knocked out of the World Cup, but the respect and admiration for Ravindra Jadeja escalated amongst the fans.

India vs New Zealand – Auckland, 2014

Ravindra Jadeja’s lower-order batting came to team India’s rescue once again. It was during the third ODI in Auckland against New Zealand. India have lost the first two matches of the five-match series and was on the verge of losing the third and the series when MS Dhoni’s side was stumbling at the score of 182/6 chasing 315.

That’s when Jadeja walked in and joined hands with Ravichandran Ashwin. With the run rate soaring, the duo attacked the Kiwi bowlers. Even though wickets fell at the other end, Jadeja continued his assault on the hosts.

18 runs were still needed from the last over, Jadeja held his nerves and smashed Corey Anderson for a couple of fours and a six, taking 17 runs from the over, as the game ended in a tie. He scored 66 from 45. The off-spinner also took two wickets while bowling and was Man of the Match.

India vs England, Champions Trophy 2013 Final, Edgbaston

If there was one match where Jadeja’s batting along with his bowling and fielding was required in the entire 2013 Champions Trophy, it was the final against England. Due to ran, the match was curtailed to 20 overs. Alastair Cook elected to bowl first, and the English bowlers choked the Indian batsmen to 66/5 in 13 overs.

Jadeja came at number 7, and along with Virat Kohli scrapped the team to 129. The left-hander scored a vital 33* off 25 balls. Defending 130 was a difficult start, but England lost wickets at regular intervals.

He took the opener, Ian Bell’s wicket, and came back later in the game to castle Jos Buttler. The offie had figures of 2/24 in his 4 overs and saved some important runs in the field as well. Jadeja was named Man of the Match. He also ended the tournament as the leading wicket-taker; with 12 wickets in 5 matches at an average of 12.83.

India vs England – Chennai, 2017

Fondly known as ‘Sir’ Ravindra Jadeja – not knighted though – choose the apt time register his best bowling figures in Test cricket when the Indian team was looking for inspiration. In reply to England’s 477 in the first innings, Karun Nair struck 303 – only the second Indian to notch a triple ton in Test cricket – as India declared at the score of 759. Jadeja supported Nair and gave a flourish towards the end with a 55-ball 51. He has also taken 3 wickets in England’s first innings.

With the game out of their grasp, and only two results possible, England was playing to save the match. The contest headed into its final day and the openers, Alastair Cook and Keaton Jennings, batted out the entire first session.

Virat Kohli needed someone to step up as he wished to annihilate England by a 4-0 margin completely. In came, Jadeja. The off-spinner, with his darts, took once by one three quick wickets and Ishant Sharma took the fourth to end the second session.

Jadeja struck four more times in the last session as he rolled over the visitors till the last hour of the game to register his best figures in a Test inning – 7/48. While Karun Nair was the Man of the Match for his triple hundred, but it was Jadeja who made the victory possible.

India vs Australia – Melbourne, 2012

It is impossible to mention Ravindra Jadeja and not mention his fielding. Arguably, the best fielder in the world, Jadeja has a bullet arm, hawkeye aim at the stumps, and hardly drops any catch. In a T20I against Australia, he was awarded the Man of the Match largely thanks to his brilliant fielding.

Jadeja inflicted important run-outs of Aaron Finch and George Bailey. He took a sharp return catch of David Hussey. His heroics that day bought him a contract of $2 million dollars from the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL auction the very next day!

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