India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja stated he’s match and raring to return as he’ll captain Saurashtra in its Ranji Trophy seventh-round match towards Tamil Nadu in Chennai from Tuesday.
Jadeja was dominated out of aggressive cricket for 5 months since September 2022 after struggling a ligament harm throughout India’s Asia Cup marketing campaign within the United Arab Emirates. India was handed an enormous blow because the 34-year-old subsequently missed the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia.
“I am feeling good to be back on the field. I am very excited and looking forward to this game. Hopefully, it’ll come good as a team and as an individual also,” Jadeja instructed in an interplay with the media on the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on Monday.
Jadeja reckoned it was in all probability the longest time he has been away from the cricket subject. “I think so yeah because I was out for almost five months. It was a ligament tear but it is nice now and I am slowly getting that confidence day by day,” he stated.
While Jadeja’s Saurashtra and India teammates, Jaydev Unadkat and Cheteshwar Pujara, have been rested from this spherical forward of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy towards Australia, he should show his health on this spherical to hitch the nationwide camp forward of the primary Test in Nagpur from February 9.
“My first priority is to get on the field and be fit 100 per cent. Once I’ll regain that level, I will work on my skills, whether it’s batting or bowling but my first priority is my fitness,” he stated.
Jadeja accomplished his rehabilitation course of on the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru during the last three weeks. However, he’s awaiting his check with match health forward of India’s essential conflict with Australia, which can have an effect on its World Test Championship ultimate qualification.
“I was at the NCA for like 20 days, so I was doing my batting and bowling, but the match scenario is different. I want one game before the Australia series, and that is why I am here,” he stated.
Jadeja might be enjoying his first Ranji Trophy match for Saurashtra since November 2018 and his first as captain on the First-Class stage.
“It’s great to be back with Saurashtra. I am sure I can contribute a lot to the youngsters in this team over the next four days. They will benefit from our interactions, and I am open to helping each one of them,” Jadeja stated.
Extended follow
While the remainder of his teammates limbered up with a spherical of soccer, Jadeja warmed up with stretching periods underneath the eyes of NCA energy and situation coach Sudarsan VP.
He then assessed the pitch with coach Niraj Odedra earlier than addressing his teammates in an extended huddle chat.
Later on, Jadeja proceeded to the batting nets to have an prolonged knocking session and batted on three totally different strips. While he performed some strong strokes, Jadeja regarded uncomfortable towards the side-arm thrower and copped a blow from a brief supply. However, he continued batting earlier than switching gears to bowl with gentle strides.
While Saurashtra has confirmed its quarterfinal spot from Elite Group B, it might nonetheless goal to high the group with a win to realize the house benefit for the knockout match.
VIDEO CREDIT: Mayank