Ravindra Jadeja, by far, is considered at the top of the best fielders' list for many cricket experts and fans. His ability to intercept balls in the field and his uncanny ability to hit the stumps directly has given us many highlight-reel moments.
Everyone remembers Shoaib Malik’s run out from the 2017 Champions Trophy when Jadeja cleaned him up from a backward point with a direct hit. He took a very good catch under pressure during a crunch match against Bangladesh in the 2016 T20 World Cup in Bengaluru.
In a chat with the Indian Express, Ravindra Jadeja touched upon his fielding and how he has worked on his shoulders in the gym to make them last longer.
“You must ask my papa (laughs). I have his genes. Some of it is natural. Lots of hard work with shoulder exercises, gym, practice. It’s not all-natural for me. I work a lot on it else, my shoulders won’t have lasted long. It’s been 12-13 years but I have maintained my shoulder. I bowl a lot too. I train well and know how to take care,” Jadeja said on being asked how can he throw so fast.
“My coach Mahendra Singh Chauhan in Jamnagar would make us run and field; only then you can bat. In the first four years, I would only field a lot. He would seem stern, doesn’t show expressions but he is very helpful. He was very good,” he said.
On further being asked to elaborate his workout, his regimen, and how he makes direct hits look so amazing, Jadeja said he is a bit natural in the fielding department.
“I agree I am a bit of a natural in fielding but there would be wear and tear in the shoulder for anyone who has played so many years. I work hard to maintain it. I believe that if my shoulder remains good, I can keep on playing cricket for many years to come,” he said.
“I can’t tell people daily what I work on to improve fielding or whatever. I am not the type of individual who feels the need to tell people daily how hard I am working. Rather, I would, as I do on social media, keep showing my horse riding! Because no one knows how to do it,” he signed off.
Jadeja will be seen in action on India’s tour of England which begins with the WTC Final against New Zealand on June 18.
(Indian Express inputs)
