India is set to take on Australia in the highly-anticipated Border-Gavaskar next month. Ahead of the all-important Test series, there was some good news on the cards for the Indian team as India all rounder Ravindra Jadeja was hopeful of his return.
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Jadeja has been out of action for nearly half a year. But the all rounder was picked for the four-match Test series, subject to fitness. On Thursday, Jadeja looked to get his touch back, as he pocketed a seven-for for Saurashtra in their Rani Trophy match against Tamil Nadu. Getting through 41.1 overs of bowling across two innings, Jadeja showed that he is “good to go”.
Ahead of the game, the all rounder had sounded cautious, but his tone changed following the third day’s play. On Monday, before the start of play, Jadeja had said, “I will go slowly. Have to see how my leg is feeling and then I will see.”
But after seamlessly bowling 12 overs against Tamil Nadu on the third day, Jadeja told PTI that he was enjoying himself. “I am used to bowling long spells. Nothing new for me. I was enjoying, the ball was turning. The pitch was assisting me.
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Five-for in a first-class game is always good: Jadeja
“When we were batting, the odd ball was spinning, the odd ball was keeping low, so I was keen to bowl a long spell. Luckily I got wickets,” Jadeja told PTI.
Talking about his fitness, the all rounder said he did not feel any discomfort. “So feeling very good, playing a game after a long time. Hopefully I am good to go now. It was tough on the first day but as the game progressed, I was feeling good. When you take a five-for in a first-class game it’s always good.”
The India all rounder’s comeback has been a long-awaited one. The all rounder missed both the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup. After undergoing a knee surgery September 2022, Jadeja was hopeful of making a comeback in India’s tour of Bangladesh in December 2022. But though he was named in the squad, he had to wait a little longer to regain his fitness.
Jadeja was thereon named in India’s squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series at home, but subject to fitness. The all-rounder’s clinical show in the Ranji Trophy comes as a big boost as he gears up for the all-important Test series.
