Ahead of Indian cricket star Ravindra Jadeja's anticipated return in the third Test of the ongoing India-England series, an explosive interview with his father has stirred controversy, revealing strained family relationships and prompting a swift response from the all-rounder himself.

In the candid interview with Divya Bhaskar, Anirudhsinh Jadeja, Ravindra's father, laid bare his grievances, expressing deep-seated regret over his son's marriage to Rivaba Jadeja and lamenting the subsequent estrangement. He disclosed, "Do you want me to tell you one truth? I have absolutely no relation with Ravindra and his wife, Rivaba. We don't call them, and they don't call us. The issues started after two or three months of their marriage."

Anirudhsinh's revelations continued to unfold, painting a poignant picture of familial discord. "He is my son, and it burns my heart. I wish I hadn't gotten him married. It would have been better if he hadn't become a cricketer. We would not have to go through all this in that case," he confessed with palpable emotion.

Furthermore, he alleged that Rivaba, soon after the marriage, demanded control over family assets, leading to further strife. "Within three months of the marriage, she told me that everything should be transferred to her name. She created a rift in our family. She didn't want the family and desired an independent life," he divulged, hinting at the complexity of the situation.

Moreover, Anirudhsinh expressed profound anguish over the lack of contact with his granddaughter, portraying a heart-rending scenario of familial estrangement. "We haven't even seen the face of our granddaughter in five years. Ravindra's in-laws manage everything. They interfere in everything," he revealed, underscoring the depth of the familial chasm.

Stop tarnishing my wife’s image: Jadeja rejects all claims from 'scripted interview'

In response to these startling allegations, Ravindra Jadeja took to social media to address the situation head-on. Dismissing his father's claims as "meaningless and untrue," Jadeja urged fans to disregard the interview as a "scripted" narrative, insinuating a manipulated portrayal of events. He vehemently denied any attempt to discredit his wife, asserting, "The efforts being made to tarnish the image of my wife are indeed condemnable and indecent."

While acknowledging that he has his own grievances to address, Jadeja opted not to disclose them publicly, choosing instead to maintain dignity and privacy in dealing with family matters. His measured response amidst the storm of allegations reflects a resolve to navigate the tumultuous terrain with grace and composure.

Jadeja is presently undergoing rehabilitation for a hamstring injury that sidelined him from India's second Test against England in Visakhapatnam. The injury occurred during the Hyderabad Test, prompting the inclusion of Sourabh Kumar and Washington Sundar in the squad for the Vizag match. It is uncertain whether Jadeja will recover in time to be considered for selection in the Indian squad for the final three Tests scheduled to take place in Rajkot, Ranchi, and Dharamsala.