Cricket

Ravindra Jadeja's suitability as India's No. 7 batsman in the upcoming T20 World Cup has come under scrutiny, with former Australian cricketer Tom Moody expressing concerns over his strike rate. Moody believes that India needs a player with a higher impact at that position.Jadeja has been a key player for India in both batting and bowling, but his strike rate of 131.93 in the current IPL season has raised questions about his ability to contribute significantly in the middle order. Moody stated that he would only include Jadeja in the team as the best left-arm spinning option, but not as a No. 7 batsman."In my eleven, he's not batting at No. 7. I don't think he's good enough to bat seven in a World Cup side. He's proven that with his strike rate. You need an impact-type player batting at seven," Moody said.Former India cricketer K Srikanth echoed Moody's sentiments, acknowledging Jadeja's big-match experience but highlighting Axar Patel's potential match-winning abilities. Srikanth believes that while Jadeja is likely to start due to his experience, Axar Patel's inclusion in the squad is equally important."Jadeja will be in the 11 but Axar will also be in the 15. Axar is also a potential match-winner, you have to understand that," Srikanth said. "But the first choice will go to Jadeja at number 7 by sheer experience and the way he's played international cricket in the past and he's a big match player."Srikanth emphasized the dilemma faced in choosing between Jadeja and Axar Patel, likening them to essential components of the team. "Both Jadeja and Axar Patel will be there. Probably the first nod will go to Jadeja for the first match and then probably Axar Patel. Both of them are equally important to me; it's like my right eye and left eye; which one do I choose?" he added.As the T20 World Cup squad announcement approaches, debates surrounding player selections and batting positions continue to intensify. Experts and fans eagerly await the final decision from the selectors, who will have to balance experience, form, and the need for impact players in their lineup.

Axar Patel's remarkable batting performance for Delhi Capitals against Gujarat Titans has reignited the debate over his inclusion in India's T20 World Cup squad ahead of Ravindra Jadeja. Both players are left-arm spinners, exceptional fielders, and capable batsmen. However, Axar's T20 batting prowess appears to surpass Jadeja's, as evidenced by his ability to execute powerful shots and adapt to various batting situations.While Jadeja's heroics in the IPL final last year, where he secured the title for Chennai Super Kings with a six and a four, cannot be overlooked, Axar's recent performances suggest he may be a more suitable choice for the T20 World Cup. In this IPL season, both players have comparable statistics. Axar has amassed 123 runs in nine matches with a strike rate of 132.36, while Jadeja has scored 157 runs with a strike rate of 131.93. However, Axar's superior six-hitting ability, a crucial aspect of T20 cricket, sets him apart. He has struck five maximums compared to Jadeja's two.Axar's taller trajectory and quicker round-arm action may also enhance his effectiveness as a bowler in the West Indies, where wickets tend to offer more grip. While Jadeja excels as a bowler in ODIs and Tests, his T20 bowling can become predictable due to his consistent line and length, making it easier for batters to counter him.In this IPL, Axar has claimed seven wickets in nine matches with an impressive economy rate of 7.06, a remarkable feat considering the flat wickets. He has also bowled 53 dot balls in 186 deliveries, demonstrating his ability to restrict runs. Rishabh Pant has effectively utilized Axar in the powerplay as well.In contrast, Jadeja has managed only four wickets despite bowling in spin-friendly conditions. His economy rate has also been higher at 7.85, and he has bowled fewer dots (43).Their T20I records are also comparable. In 52 games, Axar has scored 361 runs with a strike rate of 144.40 and taken 49 wickets with an economy rate of 7.26. Jadeja has played 66 games, scoring 480 runs with a strike rate of 125.32 and taking 53 wickets with an economy rate of 7.10.However, this IPL has highlighted Jadeja's inability to accelerate the game's pace when batting at No. 4. In contrast, Axar Patel has demonstrated his versatility by starting slowly at No. 3 and then accelerating his innings, showcasing his wide range of strokes against Gujarat Titans.

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has advocated for the inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav alongside Ravindra Jadeja as India's spin duo for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. Manjrekar's endorsement stems from Kuldeep's exceptional performance in the ongoing IPL 2024, where he has showcased remarkable bowling skills and confidence.Manjrekar believes that Kuldeep's current form resembles that of Jasprit Bumrah or Yuzvendra Chahal at their peak, commanding respect and handling responsibilities with ease. He emphasized that Kuldeep's ability to seize crucial moments and deliver under pressure makes him a valuable asset for India."Kuldeep Yadav is at his peak in terms of skills and confidence. He's like a Bumrah or Chahal at their peak, commanding respect and handling responsibilities comfortably," Manjrekar said. "He's a champion bowler who can form a formidable partnership with Ravindra Jadeja."Kuldeep's impressive performance in IPL 2024 has further solidified his credentials. In six matches, he has claimed 12 wickets, demonstrating his ability to control the game and deliver crucial breakthroughs.After Delhi Capitals' thrilling victory over Gujarat Titans, Kuldeep expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance and his own contribution. "These two points are very important. We had a plan for Tewatia, and it worked out. I focused on my lines and lengths and read the batsmen's intentions," Kuldeep said.Manjrekar's suggestion to pair Kuldeep with Jadeja as India's spin duo for the T20 World Cup 2024 is based on their complementary skills. Jadeja provides a left-arm spin option and is a reliable batter, while Kuldeep's wrist spin and ability to create pressure make him a potent wicket-taker.If Kuldeep continues to perform at his current level, he could play a pivotal role in India's quest for T20 World Cup glory. His confidence, skill, and ability to handle pressure make him a formidable force in the spin department.

Ravindra Jadeja, the Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) star all-rounder, has come under fire for his underwhelming performance in their recent loss to the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). However, former England captain Kevin Pietersen has come to Jadeja's defense, strongly criticizing his detractors.Jadeja struggled with both bat and ball against LSG, scoring only 16 runs from 19 deliveries and conceding 16 runs from two overs without taking a wicket. His performance drew criticism from some quarters, but Pietersen believes it is unfair to single out Jadeja for blame."You cannot point a finger at Ravindra Jadeja like I am not having it at all," Pietersen said on Star Sports. "That guy is an absolute star. He's one of the first picks for India. I mean, what he's done in the IPL for India. Leave the guy alone."Pietersen praised Marcus Stoinis for his match-winning century for LSG, acknowledging that the Australian all-rounder's innings was the decisive factor in the game. He also commended CSK for their efforts in chasing down the target, despite ultimately falling short."Chennai did everything right. Last night, they got beaten by Marcus Stoinis. It was him in a stand-alone scoring one of the great hundreds of the IPL. So forget pointing your fingers," Pietersen said.Pietersen's comments echo those of former Australia captain Michael Clarke, who also refrained from criticizing Jadeja. Clarke believes that Jadeja's all-round abilities make him an invaluable asset to any team, and that his occasional poor performances should not overshadow his overall contributions.Jadeja has been a key player for CSK since joining the franchise in 2012. He has helped the team win four IPL titles and has been named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament twice. He is also a regular member of the Indian national team, where he has played in all three formats of the game.Despite his recent struggles, Jadeja remains one of the most respected and feared all-rounders in world cricket. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes him a valuable asset to any team, and his experience and leadership qualities are also highly valued.

Former Indian batsman Ambati Rayudu has unveiled his squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, featuring a surprising selection of only one all-rounder and the inclusion of injured pace sensation Mayank Yadav.Rayudu's squad prioritizes in-form players, with Riyan Parag and Shivam Dube filling the middle-order batting slots. Veteran Dinesh Karthik is preferred over Rishabh Pant as the wicketkeeper-batsman, while KL Rahul is surprisingly omitted despite his impressive performances for Lucknow Super Giants.Rinku Singh is included as the designated finisher alongside Karthik. The top order remains unchanged, featuring Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, and Suryakumar Yadav.Hardik Pandya's poor form has cost him a place in the squad, leaving Ravindra Jadeja as the lone all-rounder. Dube has not been regularly used as a bowler by Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.The pace attack is led by Jasprit Bumrah, with Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, and Mayank Yadav completing the quartet. Yadav is still recovering from an injury and has yet to feature for Lucknow Super Giants.Left-arm spin all-rounder Jadeja is joined by chinaman Kuldeep Yadav and legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal as the designated spinners.

Ravindra Jadeja's Miraculous Catch Stuns Lucknow Super Giants Skipper KL RahulIn a thrilling Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter in Lucknow, Chennai Super Kings all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja showcased his exceptional fielding prowess with a breathtaking one-handed stunner that sent Lucknow Super Giants skipper KL Rahul packing for 82.Jadeja's brilliance unfolded on the first ball of the 18th over, as Matheesha Pathirana delivered a back-of-length delivery wide outside off. Rahul, sensing an opportunity, swung his bat with full force, sending the ball soaring towards backward-point.As the ball hurtled towards him at lightning speed, Jadeja displayed remarkable hand-eye coordination. He leaped to his left, extending his hand, and miraculously plucked the ball out of thin air. The crowd erupted in a collective gasp, while CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad could only marvel at the superhuman effort."Ohh! What a catch. Is that the catch of the IPL? Wow! That (ball) was flying like a tracer bullet and he has just plucked it out of thin air as if its nothing," exclaimed an ecstatic Ravi Shastri on-air.Despite Jadeja's blinder, Rahul's 53-ball 82 proved to be the cornerstone of Lucknow's eight-wicket victory over CSK. Chasing a challenging target of 177, Rahul and Quinton de Kock (54) forged a formidable partnership, guiding LSG to victory with six balls to spare.Jadeja's sensational catch not only showcased his exceptional fielding skills but also highlighted the importance of fielding in modern-day cricket. His ability to pull off such extraordinary catches under pressure is a testament to his dedication and commitment to the game.

Ravindra Jadeja, the star all-rounder for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), has downplayed the significance of the rivalry between his team and the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Jadeja's comments suggest a pragmatic approach, indicating that while the clash between the two teams garners attention, it might not carry the same weight for the players.CSK currently holds the third spot in the standings, with three wins and two losses, accumulating six points. Meanwhile, MI is gaining momentum with two consecutive wins following three losses, positioning them in seventh place.Downplaying the intensity of the rivalry, Jadeja emphasized that when facing the Mumbai side, there are not many meetings or discussions; instead, the focus remains solely on cricket when they step onto the field. "On this ground even the good balls can go the distance. Need to identify batter's strengths and bowl accordingly to avoid conceding boundaries at this venue. Got to stick to my plan against a particular player and set the field accordingly. The defeats we have conceded have been close games, haven't lost them by big margins," Jadeja told the official broadcaster ahead of the MI-CSK clash in Mumbai."If you play good cricket, play your shots, chasing any target is possible here. You'll get to see a good contest as Mumbai Indians are a very good team. There are not many meetings or discussions when we play MI, this rivalry is hyped I think. Just need to focus on cricket when we are on the field," Jadeja added.Despite the rivalry between the two teams, CSK will also look to their recent track record against MI for confidence, having secured four wins in their last five encounters, including a notable seven-wicket victory at the same venue last season. With both MI and CSK boasting five IPL titles each, a significant leadership transition is underway. Hardik Pandya has assumed the captaincy from Rohit Sharma at MI, while Ruturaj Gaikwad has succeeded Dhoni at CSK. However, despite these changes, the intense rivalry between the two teams shows no signs of abating.

As the highly anticipated "El Clasico" of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 approaches, former West Indies legend Brian Lara has expressed his admiration for Mumbai Indians (MI) batter Suryakumar Yadav's remarkable return from injury.Lara, known for his exceptional batting prowess, believes that Yadav's confidence and form will pose a significant challenge to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) spinner Ravindra Jadeja. While acknowledging Jadeja's skills, Lara suggests that he may rely on slower deliveries against Yadav."I think he's going to drop the slower balls for most battles," Lara said. "And when you have to actually put pace on the ball, it's always dicey."However, Lara emphasizes that Yadav's recent performances have been nothing short of extraordinary. After missing the first three games of the season due to injury, Yadav returned with a bang, smashing a 19-ball 52 against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)."What I saw a couple of days ago from Surya Kumar Yadav is just genius," Lara exclaimed. "I think, I've not seen shots like that from a guy who's just coming off an injury."Lara believes that the upcoming battle between Yadav and Jadeja will be one to watch closely. Yadav's ability to handle spin bowling and his current form make him a formidable opponent for any bowler."I think whatever battle will come from Surya Kumar Yadav," Lara added.As the two cricketing giants prepare to face off, the anticipation for an exciting and closely contested match is palpable. The clash between Yadav and Jadeja promises to be a pivotal moment in the IPL 2024 season.

Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) unbeaten streak in the IPL 2024 was shattered by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in a comprehensive seven-wicket defeat on Monday. The KKR batters, known for their aggressive approach, failed to deliver on the Chennai pitch, managing only 137/9 in 20 overs.Ravindra Jadeja and Tushar Deshpande led the CSK bowling attack, taking two wickets each to restrict KKR's scoring. After the match, a fan questioned KKR's strategy, suggesting that a more "selfish" approach with a player prioritizing personal milestones could have resulted in a higher score.However, former New Zealand fast bowler Mitchell McClenaghan disagreed, urging KKR to stick to their fearless approach. "Sometimes you shoot for the stars and land on the moon. No biggie - their formula has worked so far no need to become selfish," McClenaghan tweeted.KKR skipper Shreyas Iyer acknowledged the team's shortcomings in assessing the wicket. "We were phenomenal in the powerplay but after that, we couldn't capitalize, we lost consecutive wickets. We weren't able to assess the conditions as quickly as possible," Iyer said.The defeat marked KKR's first loss of the season, while CSK secured their second win. The match highlighted the importance of adapting to different pitch conditions and the challenges of maintaining an unbeaten run in the competitive IPL.