NEW DELHI: India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has attributed his recent form and consistency to his stint in domestic cricket, stating that playing for Saurashtra in the Ranji Trophy helped him stay in rhythm despite a long break from ODIs.
Jadeja, who last played an ODI during the 2023 World Cup before the current series, was instrumental in India’s series-clinching four-wicket victory over England in the second ODI at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Sunday. His controlled bowling and crucial contributions in the middle order provided balance to the Indian side, ensuring a smooth transition back into the 50-over format.
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The 36-year-old returned to India’s ODI setup after featuring for Saurashtra in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25. He produced a match-winning performance against Delhi, claiming 12 wickets to power Saurashtra to a dominant 10-wicket win. He also played against Assam but did not bowl in that match, focusing instead on his batting.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Jadeja emphasised the importance of domestic cricket in keeping him sharp and match-ready.
“It feels really good, especially after almost two years – since the World Cup. Coming back into this format requires quick adaptation, but I believe the domestic matches I played helped me a lot,” Jadeja said.
“In those matches, I bowled over 30 overs, which helped me maintain my rhythm. Even in Tests, I tried to maintain the same line and length in ODIs. The rhythm remained intact because the break wasn’t too long. So, I think playing domestic games benefitted me in maintaining my rhythm,” he added.
Jadeja’s comments underline the significance of domestic cricket in keeping players in top form, especially ahead of major international assignments.
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