Ravindra Jadeja has credited his local cricket experience with his rhythm in ODIs, his first since the World Cup final in 2023. In two matches against an explosive England squad, Jadeja has surrendered only two boundaries in 19 overs while taking six wickets. He has played an important part in India’s series victory, which came even before the final ODI, which would be his 200th.
“Feeling very good,” Jadeja added. “Especially playing ODIs after nearly two years. You must adjust rapidly in this format. I feel that the domestic game I played [against Delhi] benefited me much. I bowled about 30 overs in that contest. So, I never lost my rhythm.
JAdeja resigned from T20Is following India’s World Cup victory in June last year, leaving him without cricket between the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which concluded in the first week of this year, and this ODI series. Jadeja played two Ranji Trophy matches during this time, but only bowled in one: 30 overs for 12 wickets over two innings.
India’s domestic cricket, particularly the Ranji Trophy, has made headlines due to the board’s directive to its players not to miss matches unless they are injured or have their workload regulated. Virat Kohli represented Delhi for the first time in 12 years, while Rohit Sharma represented Mumbai for the first time in 10. The board also faced criticism for what was perceived to be headmasterly treatment, particularly as the cricket India was expected to play after the break was in a different format.
Staying in touch with cricket does not appear to have harmed Jadeja, which the decision-makers will view as validation because they have long held that playing matches is the greatest way to progress as a cricketer.
