Chennai Super Kings talisman all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja stated that it means a lot when he contributes to the team’s win. Jadeja’s all-round brilliance against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai took CSK to a gargantuan win of 69 runs on Sunday.
Jadeja scored a blistering knock of 62 runs off just 28 balls as he smashed 36 runs in the final over, which was bowled by Harshal Patel. In fact, the southpaw had scored only 26 runs off the first 21 balls he faced but turned on the beast mode in the final over and took Patel to the cleaners.
On the other hand, Jadeja also delivered the goods with the ball as he scalped three wickets and conceded only 13 runs in his quota of four overs. Jadeja got the big wickets of Glenn Maxwell and AB de Villiers.
Meanwhile, Jadeja revealed that MS Dhoni told him that Harshal Patel will look to pitch the ball outside the off-stump and he was able to get the best out of the bowler. Jadeja added he has worked hard on his fitness and he is reaping the rewards for the same.
Jadeja said in the post-match presentation, “No, I don’t think so (when asked if he had a better day). Enjoying a lot, when you contribute for your team in a winning match, it means a lot. I have been working a lot on my fitness, skill and everything else, luckily, it paid off today. It’s tough as an all-rounder, you’ll have to do well in all departments – while training, I don’t do all the three things (batting, bowling and fielding practice) on the same day. I work on my skills one day and my fitness on the next day – that’s how I manage my workload. I was looking to hit hard in the last over, Mahi bhai told me he (Harshal) will be bowling somewhere outside the off-stump and I was ready for that”.
Jadeja has tremendously improved his batting in the last couple of years and he is currently one of the best all-rounders in the world in all the three formats of the game. Moreover, Jadeja became the first CSK player to score 50+ runs and take three wickets in the same match. The left-hander will look to continue the good show for CSK in the coming matches.
CSK have taken the pole position in the points table after their win against RCB. Chennai will next play against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on 28th April.