It Does Feel Good When I Am Appreciated For My Fielding: Ravindra Jadeja

While Ravindra Jadeja has grown as a reliable batsman and bowler, fielding has always been his strongest suit. Ravindra Jadeja is widely acknowledged as one of the best fielders today alongside the likes of Martin Guptill, Steve Smith, Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Chris Jordan, Jofra Archer, and many more. Hence, the 32-year old thanked the fans when they appreciate him for his excellent fielding display and for those who forgive him when he falters.

Ravindra Jadeja’s game is built on the back of numerous game-changing run-outs and catches. The Saurashtra-born all-rounder makes it all possible due to his excellent awareness and razor-sharp anticipation skills. Often, Jadeja takes blinders and effects run-outs that appears as a blinder for most fielders. He has done so since his debut and continues to do so, proving himself as an invaluable asset to his side.

Ravindra Jadeja understands that his anticipation is excellent as he knows what the release shot of different batsmen is after playing for so many years. The spin-bowling all-rounder revealed that he has that fraction of a second to anticipate the opposition’s moves and is hence able to take easy catches, which most fielders might view it as a blinder since they cannot move quickly in anticipation. He went on to thank people, who are considerate, even if on the rare occasions that he misses catches.

“I know my anticipation is very good in a match situation. I don’t know what others think about before the ball comes, but personally, after playing so many years, I know what the release shot of different batsmen is. And I can tell from how he is playing, where the ball is going to go. I have that extra fraction of a second and I move there quickly. So, at times, you will see me getting into positions and take ‘easy’ catches, but I know if it were someone else, it would have been a blinder as he hasn’t moved across quickly in anticipation. It does feel good when I am appreciated for my fielding, they might not see my hard work, but they know it. When I drop catches also, people don’t criticize, it’s more like, ‘hota hai, it happens’” Jadeja told Indian Express.

It’s been 12-13 years but I have maintained my shoulder: Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja credited plenty of hard work, shoulder exercises, and gym practice behind his shoulder being strong, which otherwise might not have lasted long. The southpaw also attributed his impressive fielding skills to his coach Mahendra Singh Chauhan in Jamnagar, as he would make them field a lot before batting. Jadeja revealed that Chauhan is stern, expressionless, but is quite helpful.

“You must ask my papa (laughs). I have his genes. Some of it is natural. Lots of hard work with shoulder exercises, gym, practice. It’s not all-natural for me. I work a lot on it else, my shoulders won’t have lasted long. It’s been 12-13 years but I have maintained my shoulder. I bowl a lot too. I train well and know how to take care. My coach Mahendra Singh Chauhan in Jamnagar would make us run and field; only then you can bat. In the first four years, I would only field a lot. He would seem stern, doesn’t show expressions but he is very helpful. He was very good,” he added.

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