Asia Cup 2018: I will always remember this comeback – Ravindra Jadeja

Comeback man Ravindra Jadeja stated that the longevity between his two ODI appearances for India in an ODI match will stay in his mind forever. Jadeja, who last played for India in July last year, marked his comeback with a wonderful four-wicket haul against Bangladesh in their opening Super Four match of the 2018 Asia Cup on Friday.

“I will always remember this comeback because I returned to the team after a gap of around 480 days. The earlier gaps have not been this long,” he told the reporters following India’s seven wickets victory.

His last three-wicket haul came in 2014 against the West Indies and Jadeja, who put up a Man of the match performance on Friday said that although it has been long since this performance, he still “doesn’t need to prove anything to anyone.”

I know “What my ability is, I need to sharpen it. I don’t have to show anyone what I can do. I need to challenge myself,” he added.

Asked if such a performance will once again put him in the eyes of the selectors, especially with the 2019 Cricket World Cup drawing near, the 29-year-old said he was not thinking too far ahead.

“The World Cup is still some time away, we’re going to play a lot of matches before that, and I can’t comment on that yet. My ambition is to perform the way I did today whenever I get the opportunity.”

“Even in Test cricket, because the last few series have been overseas, I haven’t been getting chances consistently. So I was determined that whenever I get the chance I will perform, that’s all that I can control. I was only focused about my own game and how I can improve further,” he said.

The Saurashtra cricketer is known for his ability to bowl his spinning deliveries quickly.

“On a slow wicket, you have to bowl with more of your own effort. On a normal wicket, the ball goes through quickly after bouncing so it doesn’t give the batsman as much time. But on a slow wicket you have to bowl with more effort,” said Jadeja.

The southpaw was also excited about India’s next encounter against Pakistan in the Super Four, whom they had humiliated just days ago in the same tournament.

“Be it India-Pakistan or any other country, playing for India is a matter of pride. But India-Pakistan is something everyone is excited about.”

Image Source: ICC Cricket