Know Your Player – Ravindra Jadeja
Cricketing milestones, rise through the ranks, trials and tribulations and their glamorous lifestyles – we cover it all in ‘Know Your Player’! In this edition, we take a look at one of India’s finest all-rounders in all three formats, Ravindra Jadeja. Keep watching this space for a new superstar every time!
The Beginning
Jadeja’s first Under-19 appearance for India was in 2005 at the age of 16. He then played in the 2006 U19 Cricket World Cup in Sri Lanka where India finished runners-up in the final against Pakistan. The all-rounder was the vice-captain of the victorious Indian team at the 2008 U19 Cricket World Cup. His bowling played a crucial part as he took 10 wickets in 6 games at an average of 13.
The Indian selectors paid more attention to Jadeja after his strong all-round showing in the 2008–09 Ranji Trophy for Saurashtra – 42 wickets and 739 runs. In February 2009, the left-arm cricketer made his international debut against Sri Lanka. It took him four more years to make himself a permanent fixture in India’s all three formats.
IPL exploits
Jadeja delivered a star performance in IPL 2008 which helped Rajasthan Royals become champions and earned him the nickname “Rockstar” by his captain Shane Warne. In 2012 IPL player auction, Jadeja was bought by Chennai Super Kings for Rs. 9.8 Crores, making him the most expensive player of the year’s auction. Jadeja played for the Gujarat Lions in two seasons where CSK were banned and returned to the Yellow Army post that. The left-arm spin all-rounder has scored more than 2000 runs and has taken more than 100 wickets in the IPL.
Career Highlights
Off The Field
As dynamic as he is on the field, Ravindra Jadeja is a livewire off the field. He is a thorough entertainer with all his antics and idiosyncrasies. Coming from a Rajput clan, Jadeja is famous for his sword celebration. He also loves to ride horses and posts his images with them frequently.
