12 years of ‘Sir’ Ravindra Jadeja: Here are his top 12 performances for India since debuting in 2009
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Ravindra Jadeja‘s story has been one of the most remarkable ones in Indian cricket. Considered firstly as a player who was good at everything but not exceptional at anything, the all-rounder turned his career around with stunning aplomb to make a case for himself as one who is exceptional at everything. Such has been the impact of the Saurashtra man on the Indian team that he might as well be one of the greatest all-rounders India has ever produced.
‘Sir’ Ravindra Jadeja as he is affectionately called, took to Twitter today to express his thanks after completing 12 years as an international cricketer. He wrote, “As a kid it was my dream to play for our amazing country and 12 years later since my International debut, it still feels like it was just yesterday. Playing for India is a feeling that cannot be described in words and there is no bigger honour. Thank you for all the love. (sic)”
On the occasion of him completing 12 years in international cricket, we take a look at 12 of his best performances for India.
Versus New Zealand – World Cup Semi-Final, 2019
In what was a heartbreaking match for Indian cricket fans, Ravindra Jadeja played one of the greatest knocks in a losing cause. After an unprecedented failure by the Indian top-order, the southpaw joined hands with former skipper MS Dhoni and the duo were involved in a ‘fire and ice’ partnership as Jadeja kept taking on the bowlers while Dhoni held firm.
He made a 59-ball 77 and took India to the brink of a spectacular comeback win but it was not to be as he was dismissed before Dhoni was run-out by the barest of margins to end India’s dreams.
Versus England – Champions Trophy Final, 2013
Ravindra Jadeja’s all-rounder skills were on display in the famous Champions Trophy final in 2013. In an ODI that was shortened to a T20 due to rain, Jadeja came in at No. 7 and rescued his side with 33 runs off 25 balls to take the score in excess of 130. In the second innings, he scalped two crucial wickets and was also a livewire in the field as India won a thriller. The all-rounder was rightly named the Man of the Match for his display.
Versus England – Chennai Test, 2016
The Chennai Test against England in 2016 is perhaps, best remembered for a triple century by Karun Nair but without Ravindra Jadeja, the match wouldn’t have been won. After England posted a mammoth total in the first innings, India eclipsed it and went on to score more than 700 to ensure they had one day to bowl out England and seal an innings victory. The Englishmen resisted but Jadeja scalped 7 wickets to condemn them to a loss in the last hour of the day.
Versus Australia – Melbourne ODI, 2012
Ravindra Jadeja is without a doubt one of the greatest fielders in the world and could make a case for one of the best in cricket history. Therefore, it would be unjust to not mention a match where he shone with his fielding in this list. In an ODI against Australia in Melbourne, he ran-out not one but two batsmen with direct-hits before also taking a fantastic reflex catch. On the very next day, he was acquired by the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL auctions.
Versus New Zealand, Auckland ODI, 2014
Chasing a huge total of 315, India were reeling on 182/6 when Ravindra Jadeja walked in to bat. He then went all guns blazing as he kept attacking each and every ball that was bowled at him. His impressive partnership with Ravichandran Ashwin ensured that India got close to the target. With 18 required off the last over to win, Jadeja scored 17 to tie the match and finish with 66 runs from just 45 balls.
Versus England – Mohali Test, 2013
In the Mohali Test in 2013, Ravindra Jadeja claimed the Man of the Match award for his exemplary batting on a difficult pitch. After England had folded for 283 in the first innings, India were also in danger of facing a similar predicament. However, the spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Jadeja joined hands once again to score 72 and 90 respectively and take India to 417 which eventually led to an easy win.
Versus England – Lord’s Test, 2014
The Lord’s Test win in 2014 is perhaps one of India’s greatest overseas wins ever especially as it was the first win at the venue. While Ishant Sharma’s stunning 7-wicket-haul is what the match is remembered for, it was Ravindra Jadeja’s stunning 57-ball 68 that both ensured the target for England was huge as well as that India had enough overs to bowl England out on the final day. Without his useful contribution, the match could have turned out very differently.
Versus England – Oval ODI, 2011
Ravindra Jadeja came of age with the bat to rescue India from a potentially humiliating situation in the ODI against England at the Oval. Coming in to bat with India struggling at 57/5, Jadeja and MS Dhoni put together a patient and dogged partnership to ensure India were not bowled out cheaply. Their knocks of 78 and 69 respectively got India to 234 which was chased down by England but Jadeja’s performance was sublime and he was rightly awarded the Man of the Match award.
Versus Australia – Bangalore Test, 2017
In the final series of India’s long home season in 2016/17, India had lost the first Test in Pune as Steve O’Keefe bamboozled the batters. The same seemed to continue when India had scored only 189 in the first innings. However, India bounced back with the ball as Jadeja picked up three top order batsmen before returning to clean up the tail and ensure Australia’s lead got to only 87. India eventually won the Test.
Versus South Africa – Mohali Test, 2015
During the time period when the Mohali Test happened in 2015, Jadeja was under huge pressure as he faced a dip in form which led to him being dropped from the limited-overs sides. He had to go back to the Ranji Trophy during the period and regain his form. That is why his performance in the Mohali Test was impressive. He scored a crucial 38 down the order in the first innings before going on to pick 3 wickets in the first innings and a fifer in the second to help India to a 108-run win.
Versus South Africa – Durban Test, 2013
On a flat Durban pitch, the Indian bowlers struggled to pick up wickets in South Africa’s reply after scoring 334 in the first innings. The hosts kept piling on the runs and the bowlers had no clue with the exception of Ravindra Jadeja. He bowled with excellent accuracy, control and discipline on a pitch that did not offer much for the spinners and returned 6 wickets. Although India lost the match, Jadeja’s spell was a silver lining.
Versus Australia – Canberra T20I, 2020
In a match that was marred by controversy over the use of Yuzvendra Chahal as a concussion substitute for Ravindra Jadeja, it was the latter’s knock with the bat that proved to be the difference. Coming in to bat with India struggling on 114/5 in 17 overs, Jadeja went berserk in the final three overs to take India to 161 and himself to a 23-ball 44. His concussion substitute Chahal did the rest with the ball in the second innings to put India on course for a series victory.
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