Ravindra Jadeja: I Have Learnt a Big Lesson After Getting Dropped
Ravindra Jadeja has been recalled into the Indian Test team after a gap of one year. The bowling allrounder said that he has worked hard to strengthen his skills.
Ravindra Jadeja is back in the Indian Test squad on account of his strong performances for Saurashtra in the Ranji Trophy. In two matches, he picked up 24 wickets and scored 149 runs at an average of 74.5 at number five. His exploits have provided India with more options when it comes to strengthening the lower-middle order.
Jadeja has had troubled year so far, with injuries and lack of form resulting in his exit from the Indian team for the Twenty20 and ODI series against South Africa. After suffering a shoulder injury just before the 2015 World Cup, Jadeja's returns with both bat and ball dipped and he failed to provide India the stability in the middle overs. Following his exclusion from the India squad, Jadeja has been honing his skills and said he has learnt a big lesson.(Why Jadeja Deserved a Test Recall)
"Nobody wants to be away from the team. All the negative talk that has surrounded my exclusion is a concerning thing. I consider myself lucky that the domestic season started as soon as I was dropped and this stint has helped me gain some confidence," Jadeja said in an interview.
Jadeja had said the break away from the team had given him the mental space to be fresh for challenges ahead. Before the start of the Ranji season, Jadeja was totally cut off from cricket.
"After I played my last ODI in Bangladesh I stayed away from cricket. I didn't go anywhere near a ground or bat or ball or did anything related to cricket. I had decided to switch my mind off cricket and so got involved in other activities. I spent time at my farm house with my horses and spent time with my friends," Jadeja said.
During his period of poor form, Jadeja was criticised for being too flat and too predictable. However, he insisted that he stuck to his natural game. "I haven't changed much of anything. I believe that if I strengthen my natural game, develop my skills further, it would help me. I think, the way I have been playing for so many years, I have to sharpen that a bit more," Jadeja said.
The Saurashtra allrounder is hopeful that the performances in the two Ranji matches have given him the clarity to revive an unflattering Test career so far. He is desperate to get rid of past mistakes and wants to make an impression in what could potentially be his first home Test after 18 months.
"I should have a simple plan. Whatever shot I want to play I should be able to do it single-mindedly. When I make a decision and bat I have to commit a hundred percent and play the shot. So I was working out small things like these around my thinking," Jadeja added.