Back home, he has always been superb. Using spin-friendly conditions, Jadeja has tormented the Australians, English and South Africans over the last few years. On occasion, he has even outdone Ravi Ashwin, the premier spinner on home soil.
However, when it comes to the IPL, he hasn’t really been at his best. Captaincy in 2022 did not suit him and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) had a dreadful season, despite reverting back to Dhoni’s leadership midway through. It was perhaps a wrong call to give him the leadership with Dhoni still around. The aura of MSD is such that anyone can feel the pressure. Jadeja did, and the results are proof. CSK rectified the mistake and it was a masterstroke. Right through IPL 2023, Jadeja has been stellar. And against Gujarat Titans on Tuesday night, it was a match-winning effort. First, he injected momentum towards the end of the batting innings. Then, he was fantastic with the ball, picking up the key wicket of David Miller in a miserly four-over spell.
Right through the IPL, Jadeja has been the shining star with both bat and ball. He bowled beautifully to wrench the match CSK’s way, after his 22 had made sure they had a competitive total to bowl at.
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Add to this the fact that, not too long ago, Jadeja had been injured. An injury that consumed much newsprint and stopped him from playing in the World T20 in Australia in October 2022. The team management copped a lot of flak from fans for not looking after Jadeja, and on his return to international cricket there was enough pressure on him to deliver. True to his warrior image, he did. Picking up key wickets and scoring important runs in the Test series against Australia, he had yet again played a pivotal role in one of the best Indian series wins, which helped the team to qualify for the World Test Championship final.
And this time round, he carried the form into the IPL. CSK came into the season knowing they weren’t pre-tournament favourites, and much depended on Jadeja to deliver. With Deepak Chahar out injured for most of the first half of the competition, it was Jadeja who had to step up as the premier bowler. On every occasion, he did, chipping in with vital wickets.
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Come the 28th at the Narendra Modi stadium, Jadeja will, for one final time, come out to firm up his legacy this season. All of Chennai and his teammates will be hoping that he can pick up a few more wickets to give Dhoni a fifth IPL title. In doing so, he will have settled the debate. Jadeja, the perfect all-rounder, would finally have turned a new leaf. He can no longer be labelled a one-format player. Rather, he is as good as anyone across white and red-ball cricket. He can, in adverse conditions, deliver with both bat and ball.
He can lead the Indian spin attack on pace-friendly pitches, picking up wickets and also containing if needed. He can do the same for CSK in the IPL. That’s what Jadeja has proved time and again this IPL. That’s what the new Jadeja is all about. The sword dance hasn’t come out this tournament, and could well happen on the final day. That’s because Jadeja, it seems, has finally made peace with himself as a player. He doesn’t have to try too hard on the field, and few will disagree that he is the best outfielder in world cricket. And while saving 10 runs every game, if he also picks two wickets and scores a handy 25, that sets things up nicely for CSK. That’s what Ravindra Jadeja has done in 2023, and that’s why CSK are one win shy of a record-equalling fifth crown.
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