Ravindra Jadeja: The all-round engine driving India's commanding World Cup 2023 campaign

India is all set to take on 5-time champions Australia in the quest to lift their third ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup title at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, November 19.

ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023: Full Coverage

A lethal spinner in the middle overs, dependable with the bat and a gun fielder, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been the engine behind India’s commanding run in the 2023 World Cup.

Having made his ODI debut for India in 2009, Jadeja missed out on making the cut for India’s 2011 World Cup winning squad. However, he established himself as a mainstay in the Indian team following his heroics two years later, guiding India to its maiden ICC Champions Trophy title in 2013.

Since then, Jadeja has had a go at winning the most coveted trophy in international cricket twice, falling at the penultimate hurdle both times (2015, 2019). Who can forget the brilliant knock of 77 runs off 59 balls, against the run of play to get India close to New Zealand’s 240-run target in the 2019 semi-final, only to fall excruciatingly short of the goal.

Following heartbreaks and disappointments in ODI World Cups, 'Sir' Jadeja has risen from the ashes to push his side to go for the ultimate prize once again, this time in the comfort of home. The 34-year-old has been sublime in this World Cup, claiming 16 wickets and scoring at an average of 55.50 in the tournament.

CONTAINER TURNED DESTROYER

Jadeja has been crucial for India throughout this World Cup and helps the Men in Blue put a stranglehold on the opposition in the middle overs. While being the eighth-highest wicket-taker in the competition with 16 scalps in 10 matches, Jadeja has also been one of the most economical bowlers.

In fact, Jadeja’s economy of 4.25 is the fifth-best in the 2023 ODI World Cup, only behind Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Nabi and Keshav Maharaj. Jadeja’s bowling prowess was on display at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata when he took a five-wicket haul against high-flying South Africa, becoming just the second Indian spinner to register a five-fer in ODI World Cups.

While Jadeja was always seen as a bowler who would contain the opposition’s flow of runs with a tight line, he’s found a way to pick regular wickets in this World Cup. This is majorly due to the way the Indian pacers have bowled in the competition. The brilliant platform that Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami have provided, allows Jadeja to look for wickets and pile further pressure on the opposition while also not leaking runs due to his impeccable control.

The left-arm spinner’s ability to catch batters on the back-foot is a lethal weapon in India’s armory that not a lot of teams can boast about. This has been evident throughout the World Cup as Jadeja has either cleaned up or caught the batter LBW on nine occasions in 10 matches.

DEPENDABLE DOWN THE ORDER

While Jadeja has not had a chance to really post a big individual score in the 2023 ODI World Cup, he has turned up for his side whenever needed. With the Indian top and middle order firing on all cylinders, Jadeja has only got a chance to bat on four occasions, two of which he’s remained not out.

The left-handed batter has scored 111 runs at an average of 55.50 while striking at 115.62. He played an important knock against New Zealand in Dharamshala, helping India chase down the 274-run target after being put in a tough spot.

He also played good knocks against Sri Lanka and South Africa, matches that India went on to win by huge margins. His performance down the order has also given the confidence to the Indian team management to play with five front-line bowlers instead of trying to fit another all-rounder in the starting XI.

A FOX IN THE FIELD

World-renowned for his exploits on the field, Jadeja has lived up to the hype in the 2023 World Cup. The 34-year-old has taken seven catches in 10 matches, including three against the Kiwis in the semi-final. His tally of 10 catches in the tournament is the most by an Indian outfield player and the fourth-highest overall.

He’s been a live-wire while fielding in the hot spots throughout the World Cup and has received two ‘Best Fielder’ medals as well. With a rocket arm and the speed of a cat, Jadeja has once again proved himself as one of the best fielders going around in world cricket.

After missing out on the team selection in 2011, Jadeja will be looking to put things right and plant his name in the annals of World Cup history by bringing the title home after 12 long years.