Ravindra Jadeja, Asia Cup 2018
Ravindra Jadeja says he didn't fell good sitting out for 15 months. Image Courtesy: Getty

Team India bowling all-rounder, Ravindra Jadeja expressed his delight after India won the Asia Cup 2018 against Bangladesh in Dubai on Friday. Ravindra Jadeja made a comeback in the white-ball format for the tournament, as Hardik Pandya had to miss after sustaining an injury during the opening clash. However, Jaddu was happy to be back in the coloured clothing after being out of action for 15 months.

India, Bangladesh deserve credit for the competitiveness

Team India registered a sensational victory on the final delivery of the Asia Cup to lift the trophy for record seventh time. Meanwhile, it was a thriller which went down to the wire and finally the match went to India. In challenging conditions, both teams fought it out brilliantly.

It was Team India skipper, Rohit Sharma who won the toss and opted to field. He said during the toss that they are pretty comfortable in chasing and had won most of the matches while batting second in the tournament. However, there was a surprise in the opening combination for Bangladesh, as Liton Das walked out to start the innings with Mehidy Hasan.

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Ravindra Jadeja, India
Ravindra Jadeja made a tremendous return to white ball cricket. (Image Courtesy: Getty Images)

It was a great partnership between the duo, as the Bangladesh openers registered their first 100-run partnership in ODI cricket since 2016. Liton Das was at his imperious best and smashed the Indian bowlers all around the park. Mehidy, on the other hand, played the supporting role to perfection. Liton was quite severe on the Indian bowlers and raced to a half-century in just 40 odd deliveries.

Kuldeep Yadav, Kedar stemmed the run flow in middle overs

After a 120-run partnership between the duo, as it was Kedar Jadhav who provided India with the maiden breakthrough in the form of Hasan’s wicket. From there on, it was a slide, as Bangladesh kept losing wickets at regular intervals. It was Yuzvendra Chahal who dismissed Imrul Kayes. Kedar Jadhav was into action yet again bagging the most prized wicket of Mushfiqur Rahim.

Kuldeep Yadav then came into action and bagged three quick wickets which never really allowed Bangladesh to press on the accelerator after a great opening stand.

However, India began impressively, as openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan struck some beautiful shots. It was a great 35 runs stand before Shikhar Dhawan played a rash shot and got dismissed by Nazmul Hossain. Ambati Rayudu was also out in quick time by Mashrafe Mortaza.

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Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma played a good knock yet again. However, after making 48, he got dismissed from a pull shot which didn’t go up and found a fielder in the deep.

Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar kept India in the chase

MS Dhoni and Dinesh Karthik shared a good partnership, but both fell at crucial junctures of the game. It was Mustafizur Rahman who bagged the most prized wicket of MS Dhoni for just 35 runs off 65 deliveries. After a few quick wickets, it was Ravindra Jadeja and Bhuvneshwar Kumar who shared an impressive stand to get India close.

However, both fell in quick succession which took the match to the final over. With six required off the final over, it was Kedar Jadhav and Kuldeep Yadav who eventually did the job for India.

Ravindra Jadeja who returned to white-ball cricket after more than a year spoke to Kevin Pietersen following India’s exceptional victory. It was a big moment for him to force his way back into the white-ball team. Given the performances he put up, Jadeja will surely be in the scheme of things for the 2019 World Cup.

India, Asia Cup 2018, Ravindra Jadeja
India beat Bangladesh by three wickets in Asia Cup 2018 final.

“I was almost out for 15 months, and I wasn’t feeling good. I want to play white-ball cricket; I just wanted to prove myself and improve on my game. You need to prove yourself when you get the opportunity; you need to show you are good enough. I just wanted to play my natural game, try and hit the ball well and win the game for my country,” Ravindra Jadeja said during the post-match interviews.

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