Ravichandran Ashwin has a special advice for Ravindra Jadeja
Former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has urged Ravindra Jadeja to move past his hesitation and broaden his bowling options after a below-par showing in India’s recent ODI series defeat against New Zealand. Jadeja, one of India’s most experienced all-rounders, struggled to make an impact throughout the three-match series, failing to pick up a single wicket. His inability to trouble the batters proved costly, especially in the middle overs where control and breakthroughs were expected from him. Jadeja’s problems were not limited to wicket-taking alone. He also leaked runs at an economy rate of 6.13, allowing New Zealand to build momentum in crucial phases of the innings.
Can Ravindra Jadeja make a comeback in ODI cricket?
India eventually lost the series 1–2, with Jadeja’s lack of effectiveness standing out as a concern. His difficulties extended to batting as well, as he managed an average of under 15 across the three matches, striking at a modest rate of 66.15, far below his usual standards. Ashwin believes Jadeja needs to evolve his game, particularly by adding variations and being more willing to experiment with his bowling. The concern is heightened by Jadeja’s declining ODI form since last year, during which he has taken only 12 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 33.41, raising questions about his role and impact in the format going forward.
"I've seen over the last four to five years, he'll try a carrom ball in the nets but not bowl them in a match. He's extremely skillful, so if he doesn't perform well in two matches, he'll perform in the third. But to expand from that bandwidth is hard when you have played for so many years. It can come only if you play for fun like Virat Kohli is doing now,” stated former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin.
Ravichandran Ashwin also encouraged the 37-year-old Ravindra Jadeja to play with greater freedom and not fear the outcome while trying new things on the field. According to Ashwin, a player of Jadeja’s experience and stature has earned the right to experiment, especially at a stage in his career where evolution is essential to remain effective. He emphasized that innovation and adaptability are often what separate long-serving players from those who fade away as the game changes around them.
Jadeja’s overall record underlines his importance to Indian cricket over the years. Across all formats, he has scored an impressive 7,515 international runs and claimed 634 wickets, establishing himself as one of the most reliable all-rounders of his generation. His contributions with both bat and ball have been central to many of India’s major victories, particularly in challenging conditions at home and overseas.
The all-rounder has already begun reshaping his international career by stepping away from the shortest format. Following India’s title-winning campaign at the 2024 T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA, Jadeja announced his retirement from T20 Internationals. Ashwin believes that with one format already behind him, Jadeja can now focus on refining his skills in ODIs and Tests, using experimentation as a tool to extend his impact and longevity at the highest level.
"My advice to him as a friend, and I've told this to him many times, 'What's the worst that can happen?' If you try something different and get hit, what will happen? You'll perform, fail, and be dropped; that's it. You'll be dropped anyway if you are stubborn and fail by trying the same thing. The same applies even if you try something different," added Ashwin.
"But by trying something new, what if you bowl brilliantly? Instead of overthinking and assuming something negative will happen, you overthink positively. Because Jadeja has nothing to prove to anyone. He is long and a king,” he concluded.
