India’s loss in the first ODI at Napier followed a familiar tale. After a poor start, the middle order put them on to the path of victory courtesy a brilliant partnership between Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni. Kohli had most often in the past finished off games for India, but only Sunday he just fell short of the same. This is where the role of Ravindra Jadeja was most important. But, not for the first time, he failed to deliver, and was one of the major reasons why India couldn’t chase down the total.
The number seven batsman is a crucial position in the batting order since he is the link between the middle order and the tailenders. His job is to either support a set middle order batsman or guide the tail especially during a chase. Jadeja failed to do either at Napier. In fact, ever since his debut a few years back, he has rarely succeeded with the bat. Most of the times, he has been dismissed by hanging his bat outside the off stump, and playing ungainly strokes. Things were no different at Napier.
Jadeja’s batting record in ODIs is extremely disappointing. Having played in 93 matches, he has scored only 1322 runs at an average of 30. He has only six half-centuries to his credit, and while that is understandable to an extent since he bats so low down the order, it is his strike rate that is a major cause of worry. At a time when India are expected to score at a pace of two runs a ball, his strike rate is a shade under 80. Also, when we considers that he has 18 not outs to his credit, his average seems even poorer.
Jadeja made his debut on an impressive note, with an unbeaten 60 in his first match against Sri Lanka at Colombo. But, Jadeja hasn’t managed to maintain the momentum since. Two of his fifties have actually come against minnows Zimbabwe, one against Australia and two against England. His best till date has been 78 against the Englishmen at The Oval. Jadeja has mostly struggled away from home with the bat. His last half-century came more than a year back, also against England at Kochi. Since, he hasn’t done much of note to impress with the bat.
Jadeja made an unbeaten 47 against South Africa at Cardiff and 49 against Sri Lanka at Kingston. However, since his undefeated 48 against Zimbabwe at Bulawayo in August last year, he hasn’t played any significant knock. He got starts in the two innings in South Africa – 29 and Johannesburg and 26 at Durban, but failed to convert either of them. He had a chance to make amends at Napier, but Jadeja blew the opportunity. It has been because of his effective left-arm spin bowling, with which he has grabbed 110 wickets, that he has kept his place in the team. But, as a number seven batsman he needs to do more. --By A Cricket Analyst
