Rendezvous with Ravindra Jadeja

This is my first interview and as usual i was very nervous but meeting with RJ was truly a humbling experience.

Here are some excerpts:

When i informed RJ about GOOGLE giving an option of Ravindra Jadeja's Jokes while you try to search his name for the study, Jadeja seemed Content. He acknowledges the fact of being a true Entertainer. He gives audience a chance to laugh, curse and, go mad.

When others are playing monotonous cricketing "copy book" shots he comes up with shots of his own. During his marathon inning of 17 runs against NZ, He invented shots never seen of. He played with his back rather bat, put in his life on risk while facing Nathan McCollum, a feared bowler by any standard. Jadeja says “ I emulate SACHIN paa ji and try to innovate On-Field”.  He maintains that Shane Warne is his true mentor and his batting tips are helping him to grow as a better batsman.

In an era where every bowler is  toiling hard for stopping the Run-flow, Jadeja bowls with a single intent  to see audience gets enough of catching practice in stands and makes sure young talent are not deprived of practice which he eventually never did.  RJ has this to say about his strategy "I never practiced still I am in the team, but everybody cannot be as lucky”  He continues in the same breath and adds” “Confidence comes from the assurance of your place in Playing XI, now I can try different things unlike others who are insecure of their place in the team”.

Md. Kaif, once the backbone of Indian Team comments "Sometimes he scores run needlessly here i don't blame him. it happens to best of us”Scoring runs when not required is an art not known to many, At times he takes it too far but then I can understand, young people make mistakes. This is the time senior players like us pitch in to groom the individual but seeing the pressure of performance out of him every innings he walks out to bat or bowl guy is doing really well and reminds me of my days in Indian team.

Jadeja takes this as a complement " Kaif sir has been a real influence on my style of cricket, he understands whats going in my mind. If a player of his caliber has this to say about me i know i am doing something right"

Jadeja has been a revolution on field as well.  In a team where fielders like Raina, Kohli & Rohit sharma are doing nothing extra, Jadeja comes as a fresh air. His moves on field make all the fielders look stupid. Last heard Raina is in Awe of him, Kohli being a proactive soul has even joined special classes of Mr. Jadeja where in he will get a package which includes Classics from his stable - Art of Running between the wickets and How to Play under pressure situations.

Saba Karim (Whom Jadeja rates as his first guru) world class wicketkeeper-batsman and now a famous critic  has this to say “I am a firm believer of Jadeja’s skill, I have been there and done it. Jadeja has the potential to go beyond even my records” Performing Consistently knowing there are better player on the bench is not an easy job, Adds Saba Karim.

For his dream run in the ongoing ODI series RJ gives credit to IPL-3, “The break made me a better man, now I don’t boast of my skills(IPL 3-Bargain for Talent) and practice Yoga instead” RJ goes one step further promoting Yoga “ It has helped me remain on ground and taught me to avoid distractions at a time when whole Nation is behind me, cheering me”

   

Critics are still divided that some high placed relative or recommendation from a foreign hand (read Shane Warne) has cemented his place, but RJ refutes all such claims and hails only & Only his Luck plus the Blessings of BABA shrikanth. This is normal in our country "ugte suraj ko to har koi salam thokta hai" chuckles Jadeja and signs out with a promise of playing more knocks of national importance.