I want to play all three formats for India again: Ravindra Jadeja

Team India had to leave out their premier off-spinner Ravi Ashwin for the fifth and final Test match against England due to an injury which paved the way for the inclusion of Ravindra Jadeja. He played his second international game of the year as the team has preferred playing only one spinner overseas. But on his return, the all-rounder did well and picked two wickets on the first day. However, after a decent show, Jadeja has expressed his desire to be part of the national team in all the three formats.

Jadeja hasn’t played the limited-overs format since July 2017 for his country which must be definitely hurting him. The exploits of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal has sidelined him and Ashwin. Though the left-arm spinner hasn’t given up hopes on making a comeback.

“For me, the biggest thing is that I am playing for India and maybe someday if I do well, I will be back playing all three formats of the game soon enough. But my aim is to convert any opportunity I get into performance,” he said after the first day’s play at The Oval on Friday.

It’s tough playing only Tests

Ravindra Jadeja featured for the first time in the series and that too due to an injury to Ashwin. Even in the second Test, Kuldeep Yadav was preferred ahead of him and the cricketer was only used as a 12th man by the team. Finally, when the opportunity came, he has performed well on the first-day pitch. But Jaddu feels it is tough to play only in Tests as there is a lot of gap between the matches.

“When you are playing just one format it is very tough because there is too much gap between matches and the experience (rhythm) you need to play at the international level is less. So you have to keep motivating yourself — whenever I get a chance, like in this game, whatever ability I have, I have to give my best on the field,” the 29-year-old added.

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