Ravindra Jadeja:
India’s rich history of bowling is appreciated everywhere. Along with India’s legendary spinners, Ravindra Jadeja’s name is taken on the same row. Jadeja is a legendary spinner of the Indian cricket in modern days. With his spin ability, India registered so many memorable wins in the past. He is always a big weapon for India in crucial times.
Ravindra Jadeja, born on December 6, 1988, hails from a Gujarati Rajput Hindu family in the city of Navagam Ghed, located in the Jamnagar district of Gujarat. Interestingly, Jadeja’s childhood aspirations took a unique turn. His father, Anirudh, worked as a watchman for a private security agency and envisioned his son becoming an Army officer.
However, young Jadeja had a different passion – cricket. Despite harboring a love for the sport, he faced the challenge of overcoming his childhood fear of his father, who had different career aspirations for him. This twist in Jadeja’s journey highlights the early struggles and choices that shaped the cricketer’s path to success.
Formerly leading the charge for the Chennai Super Kings, Ravindra Jadeja stands out as a versatile cricketer known for his left-handed batting and left-arm orthodox spin bowling skills. Renowned as one of the finest all-rounders of his era, Jadeja achieved a remarkable milestone in 2021.
He swiftly became the fifth Indian player and the fifth fastest overall to accomplish the feat of scoring 2,000 runs and claiming 200 wickets in Test cricket. This remarkable achievement solidifies Jadeja’s position as a cricketing powerhouse, leaving an indelible mark on the sport’s history.
Ravindra Jadeja’s journey in first-class cricket kicked off during the 2006–07 Duleep Trophy, marking his debut in the esteemed tournament. Taking the field for West Zone in the Duleep Trophy and representing Saurashtra in the Ranji Trophy, Jadeja embarked on a path that would shape his cricketing career. These early experiences laid the foundation for the all-rounder’s rise in the world of Indian domestic cricket.
Ravindra Jadeja showcased his cricket prowess from a young age, making his debut for the Indian Under-19 team at just 16 in 2005. The cricket world took notice of his talent, and he earned a spot in the Indian squad for the 2006 U/19 Cricket World Cup in Sri Lanka. In a thrilling final against Pakistan, Jadeja left a lasting impression by taking three crucial wickets. His success continued as he served as the vice-captain of the triumphant Indian team in the 2008 U/19 Cricket World Cup.
Ravindra Jadeja grabbed the spotlight of the national selectors through a stellar performance in the 2008–09 Ranji Trophy. His remarkable all-round display, featuring 42 wickets and 739 runs, caught everyone’s attention. This outstanding performance paved the way for his selection in the ODI series against Sri Lanka, marking a significant step in his journey from domestic cricket to the international stage. Jadeja’s excellence with both bat and ball made him a rising star in the eyes of the cricketing world.
In a testament to his determination and skill, Ravindra Jadeja earned a spot in the squad for the 2015 Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, even while nursing a shoulder injury. Though not in peak physical condition, Jadeja showcased his bowling prowess by claiming 9 wickets in 8 games during the tournament. On the batting front, his contributions were modest, scoring 57 runs from 5 innings.
In a thrilling cricket announcement in September 2021, Ravindra Jadeja earned a spot in India’s squad for the much-anticipated 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Joining him on the field as his spin-bowling ally was none other than R Ashwin, creating a dynamic duo known for their spin wizardry.
In September 2022, Ravindra Jadeja was included in the Indian squad for the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Unfortunately, he had to miss the tournament as he was dealing with a significant knee injury.
Ravindra Jadeja made his mark in the cricketing extravaganza of the Indian Premier League (IPL) from its inaugural season in 2008, showcasing his skills with the Rajasthan Royals and contributing significantly to their victory. A brief hiatus occurred in 2010 due to a ban related to contractual irregularities.
In 2011, the dynamic all-rounder was acquired by Kochi Tuskers Kerala for a hefty $950,000. However, the team’s exit from the IPL in September 2011 led Jadeja to a new chapter with the Chennai Super Kings. His acquisition in the 2012 IPL auction for a staggering $2 million, making him the most expensive player that year, reflected his rising prominence.
Jadeja’s journey took an unexpected turn in 2022 when he was appointed as the captain of the Chennai Super Kings, succeeding the legendary MS Dhoni. Despite his captaincy, he gracefully relinquished the role mid-season, handing it back to Dhoni. The pinnacle of his IPL saga unfolded in the 2023 final, where Chennai Super Kings needed 10 runs from the last two balls. In a breathtaking finish, Jadeja’s exceptional batting skills came to the fore as he struck a crucial 6 and 4, securing the title for CSK in a nail-biting finale.
In 2012, Ravindra Jadeja achieved a remarkable milestone, becoming the eighth player globally and the first Indian to notch three triple centuries in his first-class cricket career. This exclusive club included cricket legends like Don Bradman, Brian Lara, Bill Ponsford, Wally Hammond, WG Grace, Graeme Hick, and Mike Hussey. The journey began in November 2011 when Jadeja scored an impressive 314 off 375 balls against Orissa, etching his name in the history books.
In August 2013, Ravindra Jadeja achieved a significant feat by securing the top spot as the No.1 bowler in ODI Cricket, as recognized by the ICC. This remarkable accomplishment marked him as the first Indian bowler since Anil Kumble in 1996 to lead the rankings. Jadeja joined the elite ranks of Kapil Dev, Maninder Singh, and Kumble as the fourth Indian bowler to attain the prestigious No. 1 ranking in ODI cricket.
In 2017, Ravindra Jadeja etched his name in cricket history by becoming the quickest left-arm bowler to achieve 150 wickets in Test matches, based on the number of Tests played. This exceptional milestone showcased Jadeja’s skill and speed in making a significant impact in the realm of Test cricket.
In October 2019, during the opening Test against South Africa, Ravindra Jadeja celebrated a significant achievement by claiming his 200th wicket in Test cricket. This milestone highlighted Jadeja’s consistent excellence as a bowler in the challenging Test format.
In 2021, in the first innings of the initial Test against England at Trent Bridge, Ravindra Jadeja accomplished a remarkable feat. He became the fifth Indian player and the fifth-fastest overall to achieve the dual milestone of scoring 2,000 runs and securing 200 wickets in Test matches.
Jadeja Emerges as the Quickest Indian to Achieve 250 Wickets and 2500+ Runs in Test Cricket.
Jadeja Makes History as the Fastest Indian to Reach 250 Wickets and 2500+ Runs in Test Cricket. Additionally, he clinched the prestigious Madhavrao Scindia Award for most wickets in the Ranji Trophy in 2008–09. Furthermore, he secured the top spot in the ICC Top 10 Test all-rounders rankings in 2021. His stellar performance also earned him the Arjuna Award in 2019.
Jadeja, a dynamic all-rounder, has showcased his prowess across formats. In Tests, he has accumulated 2893 runs at an average of 36.16, including three centuries and 20 fifties. His ODI journey comprises 197 matches, contributing 2756 runs at 32.42. In T20Is, Jadeja has played 66 matches, scoring 480 runs with a highest of 46*.
Jadeja’s bowling prowess is evident across formats. In Tests, he has delivered 16,666 balls, claiming 280 wickets with an impressive best of 7/42. His ODI record boasts 220 wickets in 189 innings, featuring a five-wicket haul at an average of 36.07. In T20Is, Jadeja has taken 53 wickets at an average of 28.41.
Format | Matches | Runs | Century | Half-Century | Highest Score | Average |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Test | 69 | 2893 | 3 | 20 | 175* | 36.16 |
One Day International | 197 | 2756 | 0 | 13 | 87 | 32.42 |
T20 International | 66 | 480 | 0 | 0 | 46* | 22.85 |
FC | 124 | 6989 | 12 | 37 | 331 | 45.38 |
List A | 250 | 3805 | 2 | 18 | 134 | 32.52 |
IPL |
226 |
2677 | 0 | 2 | 62* | 26.25 |
Format | Matches | Runs | Wicket | BBI | Average | Economy Rate |
Test | 69 | 6839 | 280 | 7/42 | 24.42 | 2.46 |
One Day International | 197 | 7936 | 220 | 5/33 | 36.07 | 4.88 |
T20 International | 66 | 1506 | 53 | 3/15 | 28.41 | 7.10 |
FC | 124 | 11985 | 499 | 7/31 | 24.01 | 2.48 |
List A | 250 | 9627 | 281 | 5/33 | 34.25 | 4.76 |
IPL | 226 | 4495 | 152 | 5/16 | 29.57 | 7.60 |