Ravindra Jadeja delivers by keeping it simple
Unlike many in this present Indian team who thrive on talent, Jadeja seems to revel in the simplicity to his cricket.
LONDON: "O reyo Ravinder Jadeja, ja autograph leva (look, there's Ravindra Jadeja, go get an autograph)."
Gujaratis in the United Kingdom can be as enterprising, if not more, than those in Western India who make for a very prosperous community. To see a fellow Gujarati doing well is what really turns them on.
They flocked wherever team India went the last 25 days, looking for a young man from their state back home who had done exceedingly well against the Australians and wanted his signature wherever they could get it. As much as they wanted India to win the tournament, they wanted 'their boy' to do well too.
They were everywhere, just like Jadeja was in the entire Champions Trophy. When MS Dhoni wanted runs down the batting order, Jadeja gave it to him. When the skipper wanted wickets at regular intervals, he gave the ball to Jadeja. A good fielder was needed at point or cover, Jadeja was called in.
The popular joke was supposed to be on 'Sir' to mock a cricketer of limited talents. Within those limitations, he delivered to ensure the joke was on those mocking him. Jadeja turned out to be one of Champions Trophy's Most Valuable Player.
Twelve wickets in five matches at a strike rate of 20.5, an average of 12.83 and an economy rate of 3.75 was an impressive one in a tournament like this one where each team had just three matches before making it to the knockouts. But statistics will not do justice to the manner in which he threatened batsmen with the variation in pace and a constantly nagging line.
Dhoni will take a lot of pride in trusting this young man. The skipper can now claim he wasn't understating the ability of this all-rounder when he said all he wanted from him was to play within his limitations. In England, Dhoni explained, that's precisely what one needed to do. Like a man sold to idea of repaying that trust, Jadeja worked with blinkers on.
Unlike many in this present Indian team who thrive on talent, Jadeja seems to revel in the simplicity to his cricket. He's a cricketer most would think they are but he's the one who's got it right. From here, it'll be interesting to see how it goes for him. As for his fan-following, it's growing just like his community has in the UK.
Gujaratis in the United Kingdom can be as enterprising, if not more, than those in Western India who make for a very prosperous community. To see a fellow Gujarati doing well is what really turns them on.
They flocked wherever team India went the last 25 days, looking for a young man from their state back home who had done exceedingly well against the Australians and wanted his signature wherever they could get it. As much as they wanted India to win the tournament, they wanted 'their boy' to do well too.
They were everywhere, just like Jadeja was in the entire Champions Trophy. When MS Dhoni wanted runs down the batting order, Jadeja gave it to him. When the skipper wanted wickets at regular intervals, he gave the ball to Jadeja. A good fielder was needed at point or cover, Jadeja was called in.
The popular joke was supposed to be on 'Sir' to mock a cricketer of limited talents. Within those limitations, he delivered to ensure the joke was on those mocking him. Jadeja turned out to be one of Champions Trophy's Most Valuable Player.
Twelve wickets in five matches at a strike rate of 20.5, an average of 12.83 and an economy rate of 3.75 was an impressive one in a tournament like this one where each team had just three matches before making it to the knockouts. But statistics will not do justice to the manner in which he threatened batsmen with the variation in pace and a constantly nagging line.
Dhoni will take a lot of pride in trusting this young man. The skipper can now claim he wasn't understating the ability of this all-rounder when he said all he wanted from him was to play within his limitations. In England, Dhoni explained, that's precisely what one needed to do. Like a man sold to idea of repaying that trust, Jadeja worked with blinkers on.
Unlike many in this present Indian team who thrive on talent, Jadeja seems to revel in the simplicity to his cricket. He's a cricketer most would think they are but he's the one who's got it right. From here, it'll be interesting to see how it goes for him. As for his fan-following, it's growing just like his community has in the UK.
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