Ravindra Jadeja of Star India, an all-rounder, said Monday that his first priority was to be “100 percent” fit for the Test series against Australia.
“It feels good to be back out on the field. I am very excited. “Hopefully it will be good as a group and as an individual,” Jadeja, the Saurashtra captain, said to reporters. The match against Tamil Nadu in their final Ranji Trophy B league match will begin here on Tuesday.
“… My first priority is to be on the field and 100% fit. Once I’m 100 percent fit, I’ll work on my skills in batting and bowling. My first priority is my fitness …”
After playing for India in August, Jadeja needed to have a knee operation.
He stated that he had been to the National Cricket Academy (NCA), Bengaluru, and said that he was looking forward to playing in the Test series against Australia.
“I was at NCA for 20 days. I was playing batting and bowling. Each match is different. “I wanted to play one game before Australia Series, and that’s why I’m here.”
He was selected in the India squad subject to fitness.
Jadeja answered a question about discomfort: “Not really…After five month I am playing competitive cricket so you don’t feel confident at first. As you improve, you will get better. Injuries are a part of any sport. You must start over if you are injured. It is the same in cricket.
“I was out for five months. I need to improve my fitness. When I have the confidence to work on my skills, I will be able to improve day-to-day.”
He said that it was probably his longest absence from the game.
“I believe so…Because surgery.”
Jadeja said it was a ligament tear.
“You feel bad. No one wants to be injured during peak performance. It’s part of the game. Keep that in mind, and be ready for it. It is impossible to do everything. It is impossible to guarantee that you won’t be injured playing cricket.
It was a ligament tear. It’s improving. Slowly, I feel more confident.
Jadeja stressed that even though he was practising at NCA, a match can be a completely different ball game.
“A match is an entirely different thing, as I have said. Different ball game… I will give 100 percent. I will go slowly and slowly. Let’s check how my leg feels and then we’ll see.
Star keeper-batter Rishabh Pan is expected to be out for some time due to a road accident last month. The focus will now be on the player who takes the big gloves to the Tests against Australia. Jadeja gave Srikar Bharat as well as Ishan Kishan a thumbs-up for the role.
“I’m comfortable with everyone. First, I need to be comfortable…(laughs) They both are very good keepers. Srikar Bharat will soon be joining the squad. He must learn many things. As he plays more games, he will continue to learn and improve.
