By: BCCI
Based on his performances in the Ranji Trophy matches for Saurashtra, Ravindra Jadeja has earned a call up the India’s Test team (squad announced for first two matches) for the series against South Africa. He claimed 24 wickets in two matches and scored 91 runs in the first game and 58 runs in the second.
While speaking to bcci.tv after his selection, Jadeja spoke about the period since late June earlier this year up to the call to side and what he had done to get back into the national side. He said that he consciously kept himself away from cricket for a couple of months after his last ODI with the aim of getting back with a fresh start when the time came. When it was time to roll his arm over and wield the bat, he ensured he got match-practice by playing in district-level tournaments ahead of India’s domestic multi-day tournament. He has been working out the mental aspects of his batting and ironing out small flaws that hampered his performances. The time-out and focusing on sharpening his strengths has helped him kick-start the season with a bang, Jadeja told the official website in the interview.
Were you expecting a call up to the Test squad for the series against South Africa?
I hadn’t really thought much about getting selected for the Tests. But given the way I had played and performed in the two Ranji Trophy matches, I felt my name would come up in one way or the other (series). It wasn’t in my hands if I will be selected or not. It was my job to perform in whatever opportunity I get. I was out of the team and every match was important for me. I tried to tick all the boxes and had to perform well in whatever matches I get. Luckily it all happened well. It was the beginning of the season, it was a good opportunity, there was home advantage as well and everything worked out well for me. I got wickets as well as scored runs which was a good thing since the Test series too is about to start. So the timing was good.
How did you prepare ahead of the season to get back into this kind of form?
Couple of months before the start of the season, after I played my last ODI in Bangladesh I stayed away from cricket. I didn’t go anywhere near a ground or bat or ball or did anything related to cricket. I had decided that I have to start the Ranji season afresh. I had decided to switch my mind off cricket and so got involved in other activities. I spent time at my farm house with my horses and spent time with my friends.
When preparations started a month ahead of the Ranji Trophy season, I decided this is my time and I have to focus and work on my strengths and come back into the team. I played district-level matches. I thought that all the match practice that I can get ahead of the season is good. Whatever matches I played was an opportunity and challenge for me to perform since the upcoming series is in India. Luckily, the season started and I did well at the start itself. The timing was right for everything. It was good thing that I could perform. Sometimes, it so happens that you have to wait for five-six months to prove yourself and get back into the (national) side. So I would say that I was lucky that things fell into place for me at the start of the season itself.
Have you made any adjustments to your game during this time?
No, I haven’t changed much of anything. I believe that if I strengthen my natural game, develop my skills further, is would help me. I think, the way I have been playing for so many years, I have to sharpen that a bit more. I worked on ironing out the minor errors and that would only be my strong point.
I didn’t feel that there were any major changes that I have to make to my game. And then the forthcoming series is in India and my game is suitable to the Indian conditions. My plan is to keep my thinking simple and that I have to go and continue playing the way I was playing in the Ranji Trophy matches.
So, what are the minor things that you worked on?
Not something very big. But while batting sometimes I would be in double-mind as to which shot I have to pick, whether I should hit or not hit. So that is what I was thinking about when I was playing in the Ranji Trophy, that I should have a simple plan. Whatever shot I want to play I should be able to do it single-mindedly. When I make a decision and bat I have to commit a hundred percent and play the shot. So I was working out small things like these around my thinking. I would (earlier) get out thinking whether I should hit or not. It was basically about shot selection and execution. I am working on reducing the error percentage. Treat a ball on its merit and not be in two minds and panic.
How do you work on the mental strength aspect?
If something is not going well and you keep thinking about the same things over and over again it makes things even worse. So I think you should leave it aside for a while so that you can clear your mind completely of all the issue and come back fresh. You have to stay away from thinking and over thinking the things. You have de-clutter and it will only happen when you switch off from cricket and get involved in other activities and then start again fresh.
