IND vs NZ: Ravindra Jadeja returns to Rajkot with a point to prove
While Ravindra Jadeja’s hometown, Jamnagar, is barely 70 km from the Niranjan Shah Stadium on the Rajkot-Jamnagar Highway, the stadium and the city has been his karmabhoomi (land of action) for a quarter of a century.
But it’s a different homecoming for Jadeja this time around. Seldom during his 16-year-old journey in ODIs has Jadeja had a point to prove. Having retired from T20Is and recalled into the ODI set-up at the expense of Axar Patel, the 37-year-old Jadeja will have to make a significant contribution on home turf to consolidate his position in the format.
In the four matches India has played since his return to ODIs in November, Jadeja made vital contributions with the bat against South Africa before having an odd failure in Vadodara on Sunday. But it’s his bowling that seems to have let Jadeja down. He has picked a solitary wicket at an average of 213 and 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 allrounder not only had a brief stint with the willow on Tuesday but rolled his arm over as well.
Shitanshu Kotak, India’s batting coach who has been Jadeja’s senior – even teammate – for Saurashtra, backed the southpaw to come good during Wednesday’s second ODI against New Zealand.
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“It’s great. 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.”
Published on Jan 13, 2026
