India World T-20 Debacle: Lost Battle for Ravindra Jadeja?

All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja‘s career is at crossroads. Of all the players under the Indian cricket board’s scrutiny for indiscipline during the ICC World Twenty20, the weakest position is that of the Saurashtra player. He was already under the BCCI scanner in the Indian Premier League for getting involved in a contract-related controversy and was banned from the IPL for one year.

Ravindra Jadeja

The World T-20 was his first tournament after missing the Indian T20 league and it proved to be a nightmare for Jadeja where he was mauled in the big games against Australia (38 runs in two overs) and West Indies (27 runs in two overs).

His parent association, Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) is feeling let down and the SCA president Niranjan Shah issued him a warning quoting “Mere talent is not enough, one has to be in control and focussed. Jadeja has to understand that and decide what he wants to do. Otherwise, people will forget him”.

Under such circumstances, the forthcoming tour of Zimbabwe (May 28 to June 13) could be a make or break one for Jadeja.

Jadeja, who is just starting out in his career should take note that his focus remains on cricket and not on extra-curricular activities. He has to learn from his mistakes otherwise controversies can spoil his career. These things will determine how far his career will go.Despite the disappointment, Jadeja is being given the benefit of doubt in the St Lucia pub incident. But, the time has come for him to understand that cricket is very tough.