Ravindra Jadeja, it’s time for some soul searching

Ravindra Jadeja

Professionals in the corporate world would argue to the end of their wits of the value that specialists bring to a specific role. A programmer needs to be able to code and a graphic designer needs to be able to work the Adobe suite of products. If you’re not a specialist of the domain in question, your resume doesn’t smell right. At the same time, corporations value professionals that possess multiple skill sets. If you are able to code and design at the same time, you are hot property. Sport is no different.

You are hot property if you can play Johan Cryuff’s brand of “total football”. Similarly, you are sought after in cricket if you can bat and bowl with equal eloquence. All-rounders, as they are commonly called, are the heartbeat of every team by playing a dual role in an 11-man team.

The “hot shots” called all-rounders

An all-rounder – that’s what they call these hot shots. They are the special breed of cricketers that possess mystical gifts to call the shots with both the bat and the ball. Brimming with talent, they can win a crunch World Cup final with the ball when the opposition is set to launch an assault having put on a hundred-run partnership. And they can play through pain and cancer while producing superhuman efforts to win a World Cup single-handedly.

Some countries seem to have the uncanny knack of being able to produce all-rounders at will. Australia, for one, is overflowing with fast bowling all-rounders in Shane Watson, James Faulkner and Mitchell Marsh. Such is their wealth that despite his batting brilliance, Mitchell Johnson doesn’t even make the all-rounder grade. New Zealand, on the other hand, having cherished the services of Daniel Vettori for 18 long years, now enjoy the brilliance of Corey Anderson. India, however, has cut a forlorn figure in this department. The scouts are still scavenging for that Kapil Dev reincarnation.

India’s all-rounder

Meanwhile, Ravindra Jadeja was to be India’s all-rounder for this World Cup. Spotted and prepped for the big league soon after his U-19 World Cup triumph under Virat Kohli, Jadeja was said to be gifted. He had the ability to bowl, bat and possessed the speed of a gazelle when fielding. He was and still is a natural athlete, not something that you would commonly associate with an Indian cricketer.

Having been handed the ODI cap in 2009, he has been a mainstay in the Indian team since making his debut. MS Dhoni’s prized possession, Jadeja has enjoyed his skipper’s faith and confidence for a while now. There’s ample reason for that as well - a batting average of 32.46 and an economy rate of 4.84 with 143 wickets in ODIs. But with his recent World Cup performance, perhaps now is the time to scrutinize his contribution.

Jadeja’s World Cup show was anything but worthy of praise. 9 wickets from 8 games at a bowling average of 39.66 certainly does not warrant a pat on the back. To make matters worse, his economy rate of 5.35 was the worst of the five specialist bowlers in the team. As for his batting, the lesser said the better. Caught in a tight spot in the game against West Indies, Jadeja came in, struck a few around, and then pressed the “self-destruct” button. Caught out for 13, Jadeja deserted Dhoni to leave India 6 down with 48 still needed to win.

Walking in to bat with Dhoni in the semi-final run chase, you figured that the platform was just right for Jadeja to shine. A mountain to climb and with all to play for, one expected Jadeja to wear a shining armor, brandish his willow and charge the Aussie warriors with his head held high. What we got, on the contrary, was an abysmal finish. Jadeja stroked singles and was eventually run out for 16 with 8 overs to spare.

Stars rise to the occasion and make it their own. Yuvraj Singh did that in 2011, putting in one superlative performance after another while guiding India to glory. He would then go on to win hearts days later when his diagnosis came to light and the fact that he had played through pain. Jadeja had a similar platform handed to him on a golden platter. A doubtful starter for the World Cup and only making the cut towards the end by playing a tri-series game, Jadeja once again enjoyed the confidence placed in him by Dhoni.

But, in every game at the World Cup, his contribution was non-existent, to say the least. The pacers coming good helped Jadeja sail the winning tide and his show, or the lack of it, went unnoticed. Against Australia, with Dhoni looking to pick wickets to arrest the run rate, his 0/56 didn’t help the Indian cause. Basically, he was guilty of underperforming throughout the World Cup and the presence of another all-rounder could have swung the tie in India’s favour.

The “X” factor

All top teams, regardless of the sport, boast of a certain “X” factor - an element nurtured with great secrecy and unleashed upon the opposition causing destruction of demoralizing proportions. These are personalities that appear out of nowhere and change the otherwise dwindling fortunes of their team. While Gareth Bale played the part to perfection last season for Real Madrid, Glenn Maxell has made a habit of stealing games for Australia. Similarly, Trent Boult wore that hat for New Zealand through their remarkable run in the World Cup.

Jadeja has, for long, been touted as the game changer for India and was to step into Yuvraj Singh’s shoes this World Cup. Alas, they turned out to be to big for the Saurashtra boy. While it’s understandable that changing a winning combination midway through a big tournament would not augur well for the team – a change now though, should be welcomed.

Jadeja should be given some time off to reflect on his contributions to the team and fine tune his skills. It shouldn’t be enough to sport a fancy mohawk and a flowing mustache if you’re not helping the team win games. A season away from international cricket should be time ample enough for him to rekindle his flair, flamboyance, and impact play – the very tenets that catapulted him to international fame.