The term all-rounder in cricket usually brings up an image of a fast bowler who can bat. There is no reason for such a perception, but it is true that the spinner all-rounders don’t quite get the mileage they deserve.
But that doesn’t stopthem from excelling in their craft. Ravindra Jadeja is a case in point.
Batting, bowling and fielding — the left-arm spinner who also bats left-handed has been a pillar of reliability for Team India in all three aspects since his international debut in February 2009. The 35-year-old has gone about his job across all formats in a quiet but effective manner.
He retired from T20Is following this year’s T20 World Cup in June, but Jadeja’s role in the longest version and the 50-over format continues to be pivotal for India. Importantly, the kind of adjustments he has made and the effort he has put in to adapt to the conditions and different situations make him justas useful as he used to beduring his days as an all-format cricketer.
In the just-concluded Chennai Test against Bangladesh, senior off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was the cynosure in India’s 280-run victory for his exploits with both bat and ball. Rishabh Pant, too, earned accolades. But equally important was Jadeja’s role, especiallywith the bat — he scored 86 invaluable runs — on Day Iof the game.
“Jaddu always had the skills as a batsman. Even before his international debut, he had scored triple tons in domestic cricket. Yes, for the first few years in the international circuit, he couldn’t bat to his potential, but over the last four-five years, he has learnt and made himself a much better batsman,” former India batting coach Vikram Rathour told The Telegraph on Monday.
“His mindset has changed, while he’s also defensively stronger now. Like a proper batsman, he knows now where his off-stump is, plays a lot closer to the body,” Rathour emphasised.
Batting inside the top five hadn’t quite been Jadeja’s comfort zone. But in Rajkot against England in February earlier this year, he produced a quality innings of 112 alongside stitching a massive 204-run partnership with captain Rohit Sharma after India were reeling at 33/3 on the first morning. Rohit, in that innings, started looking more assured only after a steady Jadeja had held one end up. Just like Ashwin benefitted from Jadeja’s presence in the just-concluded Chennai Test.
Talking about his bowling, Jadeja has never really been a big turner of the ball. But it’s his deadly accuracy which still does the talking on spin-friendly and wearing surfaces. And then, the varying speed. He doesn’t mind playing the second fiddle either at times.
“Ashwin kept striking from one end on that red-soil pitch, and Jadeja was happy keeping it tight and building pressure on the Bangladesh batsmen from the otherend... Just reflects his experience and maturity,” stated a BCCI official.
“The all-format player that he has been, it helps him adapt better to the situation and change his bowling pattern accordingly. That’s one reason why he’s mostly preferred in overseas Tests (outside Asia) if the team is playing with only one spinner,” the official added.
Against SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia) countries, Jadeja’s batting and bowling averages may not appear too impressive. But that said, he doesn’t get to bowl too many overs in SENA countries, where quicks have to shoulder extra responsibility. With the bat, he has done better in the last six years, particularly when batting with the tail.
For sure, Jadeja is a true, world-class all-rounder.
