5 reasons why Ravindra Jadeja doesn't deserve the criticism he gets

There are certain players around the world who are always under the scanner. Fans never miss out on any opportunity to criticize them. One mistake and there is a deluge of criticisms thrown their way. Suddenly, he becomes the sole reason for all the team’s collective woes. One of the most trolled cricketers around the globe is Ravindra Jadeja. Referred to as ‘Sir’, he gets the beating every time India faces defeats. At times, he is blamed as being MS Dhoni’s favourite, and that is cast as reason for him being retained in the team. His vulnerability against short balls comes under hammering at other times.He might have failed on occasions, but does he really deserve the amount of criticism he receives from the fans?Here are the reasons why we need to stop cursing him for everything:

#1 India\'s second best spinner

Ravindra Jadeja has been India’s most successful spinner in recent times after Ravi Ashwin

Stats do suggest that Jadeja has been India’s second most successful spinner after Ravichandran Ashwin in recent times. He has picked up 57 wickets in 14 tests at an average of 26.19, as compared to the other spinner Amit Mishra’s 61 scalps in 17 tests at an average of 35.21. Jadeja has bagged 5 wickets in an innings 3 times whereas Mishra has a solitary fifer.

In ODIs as well, he has decent numbers to go with. He has 144 wickets in 121 matches conceding just 4.85 runs per over. An economy rate of under 5 in limited overs format is more than acceptable.

#2 Acrobatic fielder

Ravindra Jadeja is arguably one of the best fielders ever produced by India

He is arguably one of the best fielders India has ever produced. He certainly ranks amongst the world’s best in this department. He has a great technique to be the perfect fielder inside the circle as well as a boundary rider during the death overs. He has taken some stunning catches over the years, and this makes him an absolute asset in the outfield.

His fielding skills are aptly backed by his rocket throwing arm. He runs after the ball, slides to pick up, gets up instantly and releases the ball in a flash which reaches the stumps within no time. He has affected many crucial run outs at crunch moments which are no less than picking up wickets.

#3 All-Rounder

Ravindra Jadeja has bailed out India with the bat several times as well

Though he struggled a bit in recent times with the bat, yet there is no better option than him to occupy the number 7 spot in the batting line up. India has tried Stuart Binny in that position, but he has definitely not lived up to the expectations.

Things that make Jadeja a better option for being the all-rounder in the team rather than Binny are the strike rate at which he can bat and his quick running between the wickets. Once in an ODI against New Zealand, he single-handedly bailed India out from a losing position and took the match to a tie.

He can score quick runs at the end overs too. He has a batting average of 32.21 batting down the order and with his bowling skills, he is certainly India’s answer to the all rounder’s spot.

#4 Threat on turning tracks

Ravindra Jadeja got the likes of Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis bowled in the ongoing Test series against South Africa

If the pitch offers some assistance to the spinners, Jadeja becomes a lethal bowler, simply because of his natural variations. He possesses a highly uncomplicated action. He can turn the ball and also make it hold its line without a slight change in action. This way the batsmen get confused whether to play at the ball or leave it and this is the reason why gets more wickets as LBW and bowled.

In the ongoing test series against South Africa, he got the likes of Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis out bowled with his arm ball purely because of his natural variations. He bowls at a fast pace too, which does not give the batsmen the time to read the turn off the pitch.

#5 Trier

Ravindra Jadeja made a stunning comeback in the Ranji Trophy this season

Shane Warne gave him the name ‘Rockstar’ because of his earlier hair style. He rates Jadeja very highly because he feels that he puts in a lot of effort in his game. It is evident from the way he made the very recent comeback in the side after getting dropped.

His game in the international circuit suffered a dip, he was shown the way out, he went back to the Ranji Trophy. He proved his mettle yet again by picking up 37 wickets in just 4 matches. He got a call back into the national squad and he put in a man of the match performance in the very first match on his return.

He has immense aggression and passion for cricket. He is the only Indian to have scored 3 triple centuries in domestic games. Be it on a flat Rajkot pitch or anywhere else, a triple ton is indeed a huge achievement which he has notched up thrice.