Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja made a stunning return to competitive cricket after a long layoff in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2022–23, ahead of the four-match Test series against Australia at home.
Jadeja, who had been out of action since September 2022 due to a knee injury, ran through the Tamil Nadu batting line-up during a group stage match and snared a total of 8 wickets to keep Saurashtra in the hunt to make it to the knockout stages of the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2022–23.
Making a comeback after a five-month long injury layoff, Jadeja bowled an extended 12-over spell to pick six of his seven wickets in the second innings to help Saurashtra bundle out Tamil Nadu for a paltry score of 133 runs at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Earlier, the spin all-rounder ended with 1/48 in the first innings before finishing with 7/53 in 17.1 overs in the second innings against Tamil Nadu. Saurashtra were set a target of 266 runs to win the Ranji Trophy fixture against Tamil Nadu in Chennai.
After making an brilliant comeback to professional cricket, Jadeja said that it was good to pick up a five-wicket haul and declared himself ready for the upcoming Test series against Australia, starting on February 9 in Nagpur. Notably, he last played for Team India in August 2022 in the Asia Cup.
“Yes, yes, yes…,” Ravindra Jadeja replied to a question if he was ready for the Australia series. He added, “Feeling very good, playing a game after a long time. Hopefully, I am good to go now. It was tough on the first day but as the game progressed, I was feeling good.”
The Indian all-rounder further said of bowling himself for 12 overs straight in the second spell: “I’m used to bowling long spells. Nothing new for me. I was enjoying, ball was turning. The pitch was assisting me. When we were batting, the odd ball was spinning, the odd ball was keeping low, so I was keen to bowl a long spell. Luckily, I got wickets.”
Jadeja stressed that he didn’t feel any discomfort while bowling in the match and insisted that he is almost there to attain his supreme fitness. He added, “Yes, I am almost there…it is just a matter of a little bit of confidence. Luckily, I bowled enough overs in the match, like almost 37 overs in the game (41 — 24 in the first innings and 17.1 in the second).”
The Indian star signed off by saying, “When you get seven wickets, obviously you feel confident. When you take a five-for in a first-class game it is always good.”
(With PTI Inputs)
