Bowling in a Ranji game helps Jadeja find ODI continuity

Ravindra Jadeja has made a seamless return to ODIs after a two-year hiatus, playing a crucial role in India's series-clinching win in Cuttack. His last 50-over fixture was the World Cup final in 2023.

Jadeja's return to form can be attributed to his participation in the Ranji game against Delhi in January, where he bowled 30 overs and took 12 wickets.

"Playing in the one domestic game helped me, because in that game I bowled 30 overs… So the continuity was there because of the domestic game I played, and it helped me."

Jadeja's miserly knack from Tests has translated well to ODIs, where his accuracy with lines has cramped England batters. He has taken the most wickets (6) at the best economy rate (3.21) in the series so far.

In Nagpur, Jadeja's accuracy restricted England to 26 runs from his 9 overs and dismissed Root and Bethell. In Cuttack, he dismissed Root for the fifth time in 11 innings and took out Ben Duckett.

The Indian management's decision to push senior team regulars to feature in domestic cricket after the Border-Gavaskar series defeat has benefited Jadeja.

"I believe playing in the one domestic game helped me, because in that game I bowled 30 overs because of which my rhythm was intact."