Ravindra Jadeja – An example of how to improve as a cricketer

Suddenly out of nowhere, we saw a seismic change in our perception whenever we saw Jadeja take guard on the crease or start a new spell. A perception that reflected the supporters belittling his credentials to earn a place in the team and criticizing everything he does. All in all, he became that one unfortunate player who unsettled a fan during the game.

From Jadeja to ‘Sir’ Ravindra Jadeja

It is rather inexplicable, this relation between the fans and the player. Yet, on the hindsight, insulting or brutally lamenting a player for the efforts they put on the field is something every Indian cricketer should eventually be accustomed with.

For the person he grew up to be from a rather humble background in Gujarat, what Ravindra Jadeja possessed was a virtue of self belief – one that was ingrained so well in him that critics did nothing to subdue his resurgence.

Now, with enough international experience to his name, Jadeja was back on the domestic circuit to keep up the belief of his return to the international side again. He may have always been well-versed with the technical know-how of the game, yet was left clueless when the odds refused to favour him on the pitch.

Though, in the 2012/13 Ranji season, Jadeja was a completely different player. There was a sense of discipline in his bowling and a rejuvenated edge when he was out to get some runs for his side. Anyone who would have followed his career was bewildered with his newfound ability to assess and adapt with the situations instantaneously – an attribute that one mostly associates with a cricketer that has finally come of his age.

Jadeja’s performance in statistics over the years:

“I never used to make my game plans in the past. Whatever I used to think I could not translate my plans into the match. I used to think I would do this against this batsman or play in a particular fashion against this bowler. I used to make those strategies. But now I have stopped doing that. Now I do not think too much, what will happen and what will not. I just try and focus on the kind of pitch, the conditions and the match situation.” – Ravindra jadeja, on his change of approach towards the game.

It was a season where he racked up some impressive scores with the bat, including two massive triple-hundreds; in no time he was back in contention for the national side. It was only a matter of time when an opportunity would sway towards him and this time he was more assured than ever to make it count.