Inappropriate to use the word 'comeback', asserts Ravindra Jadeja

Veteran Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is gearing up for the 2018 edition of the IPL. He was retained by the Chennai Super Kings at the IPL auctions this year. Jadeja has been out of the national side from the limited overs setup. Albeit he has been a top performer in Tests for India, his fortunes in limited overs cricket have been grim.

While the Indian team is grinding it out in South Africa, Ravindra Jadeja is honing his skills in India. He is currently participating in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for team Saurashtra. As per the recent quotes in Telangana Today, Jadeja revealed that he is practising hard on his batting now. He is keen to perform with both bat and the ball.

“I need to sharpen my skills and I’m trying for new shots for limited overs cricket and IPL. I want to be more confident as a batsman. For instance, you have to vary your bowling like change in pace, need to add little things in your bowling. In IPL, the wickets will most probably be on the slower side. So I will try to vary my pace, use the crease and do something different so that the batsmen can’t read my spin easily,” quoted Ravindra Jadeja.

On the Kuldeep-Chahal competition

In the limited overs setup, the national selectors have shown faith in Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal. They have been very successful as well. Speaking about this, Ravindra Jadeja noted that this is a big motivation for him as he can push harder now. He feels that one should never sit back and relax. Working hard to improve is how things should always be.

Furthermore, he noted that he has played international cricket for almost a decade now. He need not prove anything to anyone when it comes to performing. He has already performed well for the national side on numerous occasions.

“If there is healthy competition it is good for everybody. I can push hard and hard. That is a good sign for Indian cricket. If you are playing international cricket, you have to always work on your skills. You can’t sit back and relax. You have to pull you socks up. You need to play consistent cricket. I need to perform here (Vijay Hazare one-day tournament) and IPL,” mentioned Jadeja.

“I don’t want to take the pressure. I don’t need to prove in international cricket anymore because I have been playing for the last nine years. I have done well for my country and I’m very confident of my abilities. I need to come back into the team and that is my goal. Whenever I get a chance I have to express freely and confidently. I have to enjoy my cricket,” he added further.

On staging a ‘comeback’?

When asked about his plans of staging a comeback, Jadeja remarked that it is inappropriate to use the word ‘comeback’. He feels he is very much in contention to play for the team. He cited that he has been among the top wicket takers for the national side in the recent times. Hence, it is all about getting a game and performing.

“First of all I’m second highest wicket taker in the country — 54 wickets — in ten games two years ago. So I don’t think I need to use the word comeback. It is all about right time, right opportunity and right combination,” conceded Ravindra Jadeja.

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