Ravindra Jadeja has attributed his strong ODI rhythm to domestic cricket, which he played before returning to the format for the first time since the 2023 World Cup final.
In two matches against an aggressive England side, Jadeja has bowled 19 overs, conceding just two boundaries while claiming six wickets, playing a crucial role in India’s series victory ahead of the final ODI—his 200th.
“Feeling very good,” Jadeja said. “Especially playing ODIs after almost two years. You have to adapt quickly in this format. I believe the domestic game against Delhi helped me a lot. I bowled almost 30 overs in that match, so I never lost my rhythm. I am trying to bowl Test lines and lengths in ODIs as well. The continuity was there because my break from cricket wasn’t that long. So in my view, playing that domestic match benefited me.”
Jadeja retired from T20Is after India’s World Cup win in June last year, leaving a gap in his schedule between the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which ended earlier this year, and this ODI series.
During this period, he played two Ranji Trophy matches but bowled in only one, where he took 12 wickets in 30 overs across two innings.
India’s domestic cricket, particularly the Ranji Trophy, has been a hot topic after the board mandated players to participate unless injured or under workload management.
The directive led to Virat Kohli playing for Delhi for the first time in 12 years and Rohit Sharma featuring for Mumbai after a decade. However, the policy has drawn criticism, with some viewing it as overly rigid, especially since players often return to different formats.
For Jadeja, staying engaged in domestic cricket has only strengthened his game, reinforcing the board’s stance that regular match play remains the best way to maintain form and sharpness.