Catalyst for Success

An in- form Ravindra Jadeja is just the right push that CSK need to better their chances in the IPL

CSK have a lifeline. A slim window of opportunity but an opportunity nonetheless. And for the IPL it is important that CSK and Mahendra Singh Dhoni continue to remain relevant. He is an emotion and to see him bow out would indeed be a disappointing sight. To keep him relevant and make a real difference to their chances the one man who has to turn things around is Ravindra Jadeja. He was off colour to start with and that impacted CSK’s form. And now that he has started to perform, Dhoni knows he has his go to man ready to make a difference. On tracks that are starting to turn, Jaddu, as we fondly call him, is deadly. He can use the long handle effectively at the end

of an innings as SRH witnessed the other night and on the field he can set up run outs from any distance. An in form Jadeja is just the right push to CSK’s chances. If you know Ravi Jadeja well, you know he is a restless sort. Poor form will irk him for he gets bored if he is not in the thick of action. That’s how he is and this urge to make a difference is key to Dhoni regaining his midas touch as captain.

To explain the point a little more I will turn back to the timewhen Jadeja emerged on the scene sporting a new hairstyle. His explanation as to what prompted him was funny and interesting. For me, however, it allowed a peak into the mindset of the man.

This is what he had said to me, “I get bored of sporting the same look for months and months. Things should be different. In our dressing room most of us had very similar looks. Hence I thought I should try out something novel and something different. That’s what promoted this look.”

Now to make a confession. I had in 2013 doubted his potential as a Test match player. More so as a batsman. But time and again he has proved that he is an extremely valuable member of the team and in fact exceeded expectations even on away tours. Jadeja was aware of the challenges and emphasised that “It was always a dream to play well in all formats. That’s what makes someone a complete player. To play well in Test cricket was an ambition I had for a long time and I am glad I have been able to do so. I used to tell myself that if can score triple hundreds in domestic cricket there is no reason why I can’t score runs at the international level. Scoring important runs gives you real joy and is something I am proud of.”

For CSK, however, he is not the support act. He is the lead actor and the teams’ bowling in a sensewill nowrevolve around him. Keeping the run flow in check while nipping away at wickets is never easy but that’s what Jadeja has to do if CSK are to make the play offs.

Having proved critics wrong all his life, Jadeja would love to do so yet again. And the signs against SRH tell me he isn’t far from his best. For CSK and India nothing can be better news.

— The writer is a senior journalist and

scholar based in India

I used to tell myself that if can score triple hundreds in domestic cricket there is no reason why I can’t score runs at the international level.