Why Ravindra Jadeja and India might benefit from a more aggressive batting strategy? The sentry at the gate of the renowned Rajkumar College in Rajkot, whose alumni include Ranjitsinghji, Duleepsinhji, Ajay Jadeja, five other Test cricketers, and several first-class players, grandly announces about his favourite player in the Indian team: “Ravindra Jadeja, lekin voh idhar nahi pada (but he didn’t study here)”
The man who will watch over at night perks up and says, “Voh humare jaisey hain. (He is like us).” It is getting late in the day. That is, not from the raja and royal clan that used to be scattered throughout the college. Jadeja was raised to become known as “Bapu,” a term of affection for modern-day kings and mass leaders, after being born into a one-room government apartment to a nurse and a security guard. When informed that Axar Patel is also known by his IPL teammates as Bapu, the few people surrounding the guard become irate.”Jadeja, not Axar, is Bapu.”
But, their Jamnagar-born Bapu is currently having problems. bo
th within and without the field. When rumours circulate about him, he typically silences his detractors with impressive performances, and his followers exude confidence. Recently, Jadeja’s father dragged mud all over the place in an intense interview. In response to the interview, Jadeja defended his wife—a rising star in the BJP—against the ruling party. A young man at the college gate asks, “His father might have said stuff, but he is doing well – wife is in BJP, he is playing for India, he is loved here… what else is needed?” The topic of recommendations for the city’s best Kathiawadi restaurants comes up.
A large amount on the plate
The young man’s broad perspective is correct. Jadeja, though, is overburdened with work. particularly in the field. With the ball and bat, his left arm hasn’t been as lethal as it once was. He has even engaged in the unimaginable—running out, crossing the field diagonally, taking the longest route to the other end, only to be stopped short by Ben Stokes’ under-arm flick.
The reason he is played as the only spinner in conditions outside of his home country is because of his accomplished goal of becoming a legitimate Test batsman, which is somewhat mysterious in the context of the batting dip. During his career turnaround tour of England in 2018, he astounded everyone with his batting prowess. He was more agile than before, had improved shot selection, was more aware of his off stump, and had more skill in the art of constructing an innings.
Curiously, all those things now seem to have hurt him at home, where the younger Jadeja-like flamboyance might have been more beneficial. particularly in opposition to England. particularly without Rishabh Pant. India’s lower order is excellent, and Axar, Ashwin, and Jadeja’s ability to absorb the mistakes of the middle order was a major factor in their triumph against Australia at home during the previous series.
However, that was Australia; Jadeja most likely needs a different strategy against this Bazball England. Axar made an effort in both contests, scored some runs, but was dismissed softly. One susses, Ashwin, is attempting to become more upbeat during his little visits so far. Jadeja could also give it a shot, but he may be confident in his ability to succeed in that way because he has had so much success with his more patient approach.
Absent bite
India will require more bowling from him to make an impact. They can’t just roll their arm over and start a riot like they could in the old England. India has been sweating over their pitches extremely carefully due to their lack of confidence in their own batting: Throughout the two Tests, the image of Rahul Dravid standing with his arms folded and staring at the pitch will be remembered the most. Every session ends with him strolling past his incoming troop and scurrying over to check the track before the groundskeepers’ brooms have finished sweeping the surface. People like Jadeja don’t currently have an akhada, or rank-turner.
“I’m not the kind of person who has to constantly tell people how hard I work. Instead, I would continue to post videos of me riding horses on social media! since nobody is proficient in doing it. Koi kar hi saktha nahi kar! Jadeja used to tell this newspaper that he enjoyed going for nighttime rides on unsaddled horses in his farmhouse.
It’s now Jadeja’s turn to ride his comeback to bowling form, and fortunately for him, he can begin at his home ground, where he has amassed an impressive haul of wickets in domestic cricket. Here was where he would come roaring back to form with five-fors whenever he was not playing for the Indian team. Jadeja stormed back into the national team in 2015 after the potbellied magician with a rake, Rasik Makvana, the former curator, created sandpits where he took 38 wickets in four games. He is aware of the proper length, trajectory, speed, and cunning required. Although it’s an Indian series, Jasprit Bumrah has been the standout bowler. It’s time for someone to stand up and stop Bazball. Maybe it’s Bapu’s turn now.
