All eyes will be on Ravindra Jadeja, the costliest buy (approximately Rs 9.72 crore) in the fifth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), when he takes the field against Mumbai Indians for Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk today
The high price tag would only add extra pressure on the Saurashtra all-rounder, who is already under the scanner for his poor run since the CB Series one-dayers in Australia.
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Ravindra Jadeja
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However, Jadeja’s Saurashtra coach Debu Mitra is confident his lad would come good. “Look, it (slump in form) happens to the best of players, but that doesn’t mean he is a bad cricketer. He is a strong and determined guy.
He has the potential to set the stage on fire with some luck by his side. He is a utility player and that is why he commands such a high price,” Mitra told MiD DAY.
Mitra said the Jamnagar lad’s top billing in the IPL wouldn’t affect his performance. “Such things (being the costliest IPL player) hardly matter to him. It won’t add any undue pressure on him. He will answer his critics if he performs well or else he’ll come back to the domestic circuit. IPL is not the end of the world,” said Mitra.
Jadeja had a dismal tour of Australia, scoring 101 runs and claiming only three wickets in eight ODIs. He hardly did anything magical in favourable conditions in the few Asia Cup games in Bangladesh. It’s been 17 innings since he last scored a half-century (78 against England at the Oval in 2011).
Dubbed a good finisher, Jadeja has often been criticised for throwing his wicket when the chips are down, putting a huge question mark over his ability. However, Mitra said the all-rounder should be given some time. “Give him some time. We also have to consider his batting position (No 7). And remember, he hasn’t been dropped from the Indian team as yet.
“Jadeja is a guy who quietly works his way out. When he was dropped from the Indian team, he was the first to hit the nets and the last one to leave. He keeps analysing his game. He never gives up until he finds a solution,” Mitra concluded.u00a0
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