Jadeja needs to raise his game on home turf

The Niranjan Shah Stadium at Rajkot has been Ravindra Jadeja’s home ground for a quarter of a century.

But it’s a different homecoming for Jadeja this time around. Having retired from the T20Is and recalled to the ODI set-up at the expense of Axar Patel, the 37-year-old will have to make a significant contribution to consolidate his position in the format.

In the four ODIs India has played since his return to the 50-over format in November, Jadeja made vital contributions with the bat against South Africa before having an odd failure against the Kiwis in Vadodara on Sunday. But it’s his bowling that has let him down. He has picked up a solitary wicket at an average of 213 and an economy rate of 6.26.

For a bowler with immaculate control, Jadeja will know that he hasn’t lived up to the potential so far this home season. No wonder then that the veteran all-rounder not only had a brief stint with the willow on Tuesday but also rolled his arm over.

India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, who was Jadeja’s senior teammate for Saurashtra, backed the southpaw to come good during Wednesday’s second ODI.

“Ravindra has already played here, so it’s great for him to be in Rajkot,” Kotak said. “A lot of support for him obviously. I don’t think I should be talking about anyone’s future. I will still tell you that Ravindra is fit, he is performing and as long he is performing and enjoying the game, any player would want to play and do well for India and the team”.