Jadeja throws light on how Dhoni’s advise helped him turn a corner in 2015 WC

India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has certainly hit peak form since the 2016-17 season and is looking good to continue it ahead of the upcoming ICC World Test Championship final (WTC) against New Zealand and the preceding five-match Test series In England.

The 32-year-old had a good run-form in India’s successful tour to Australia and was seen in red-hot form in the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The talismanic all-rounder is certainly one of the key players for India in what will be crucial six Tests for the team ahead. Currently India’s best all-rounder across formats, Jadeja didn’t exactly live up to the tag since making his debut for India in 2009.

Recently, he opened up on the same while speaking to the Indian Express and gave credit to former India skipper MS Dhoni on how his advice during the ICC 2015 ODI World Cup helped him change for good. In that showpiece event, Jadeja took nine wickets from eight games but didn’t score much with the bat.

“I remember he said that I was trying to hit shots against balls I shouldn’t be attempting. Shot selection was something I also felt I was doing wrong. My judgement at the start wasn’t right. I would be in double mind. ‘Should I go for the shot, or no?’ These days, I like to take my time and I am clearer in my mind. I know I can always cover up the runs later. That change in thinking has helped.”

Ravindra Jadeja is confident ahead of the UK tour to live up to the allrounder tag

Dhoni’s advice on executing shot balls helped the 32-year-old allrounder to evolve more as a batter.

“About bouncers, yes when you hit a six against short ones, the confidence increases. I never had a problem against bouncers – as in I don’t remember getting out too many times to it or thinking I can’t play it. It was about the selection of shots and my balance,” he signed off.

Jadeja has so far scored 4,582 runs and has picked up 437 wickets across formats. When Dhoni was captain until 2016, Jadeja was always his go-to bowler to help stop the run-flow. The 32-year-old all-rounder will surely try to live up to the expectations of being India’s premier all-rounder ahead of the England tour.