Asia Cup 2018: Analysis of Jadeja's ODI return for India

Ajit Vijaykumar 19:27 21/09/2018
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  • Ravindra Jadeja (c).

    Ravindra Jadeja made a triumphant return to the Indian ODI team as he snared 4-29 in the first Asia Cup Super Four clash against Bangladesh in Dubai on Friday.

    Jadeja last played an ODI against West Indies in July last year and has since lost his place in the white-ball team to wrist spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal.

    But after first-choice all-rounder Hardik Pandya injured his back against Pakistan, Jadeja got an opportunity on the slow and turning tracks of the UAE.

    Here we analyse his first ODI performance in over a year.

    ANALYSIS

    OVERS: 10

    WICKETS: 4

    RUNS: 29

    ECONOMY: 2.9

    GOT RIGHT

    Jadeja’s speed was just perfect for the Dubai surface that has turn in it. He attacked the pads of the right-handed batsmen and got the ball to move from the rough for the left-handers.

    He bowled ahead of left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav and showed he can make an impact. In his first over, Jadeja overstepped and got hit for two boundaries before having the dangerous Shakib Al Hasan caught sweeping.

    He then trapped Mohammad Mithun on the crease to have him lbw before getting the big fish – Mushfiqur Rahim, who was also caught reverse sweeping.

    Big moment: Jadeja dismissed Mithun.

    GOT WRONG

    The only error he made on a sensational day with the ball was his no ball in the first over. For a bowler who bowls off four steps, it is almost criminal to come even close to bowling a no ball.

    Seamer Jasprit Bumrah seems to have rectified his no-ball problem in the Asia Cup. He is bowling from so far behind the crease that his toe is barely touching the track on occasions, forget his heel. It is imperative Jadeja eliminates the no ball from his game completely as in bigger matches in the tournament, it might cost him and the team big time.

    Verdict: 8.5/10

    It was a mighty fine effort from Jadeja as he was not expected to feature in the tournament, with India content with Hardik Pandya as the all-rounder and Kedar Jadhav’s dibbly dobblies proving lethal.

    But credit to Jadeja for being on the money the moment he got a chance. He did that in England, picking up seven wickets and scoring 99 runs in the final Test at The Oval. And now in the Asia Cup, he has reminded India he is still an excellent all-round choice.

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