The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made it increasingly clear that centrally contracted players must participate in domestic cricket when not on national duty. But in true Ravindra Jadeja fashion, the all-rounder seems to have found a way to adhere to the mandate without fully engaging in the grind of the Ranji Trophy.
Ravindra Jadeja the silent spectator
In Saurashtra’s resounding innings-and-144-run victory over Assam in their final Ranji Trophy league fixture, Jadeja was on the team sheet, batted at No. 9, and scored a brisk 19 off 28 deliveries. However, when it came to his primary skill—bowling—he did not send down a single over. While Saurashtra’s dominant performance meant his services with the ball weren’t needed, the situation raises an interesting debate: What is the actual value of India’s superstars featuring in domestic cricket if there is no clear incentive or requirement for full participation?
Jadeja’s mere presence in the squad fulfilled the obligation set by BCCI. However, the fact that he did not bowl a single over and was even replaced on the field by a substitute fielder for stretches of the game makes one wonder if his inclusion was more about optics than contribution. His previous outing against Delhi saw him take 12 wickets, proving his match readiness. But against Assam, he was more of a bystander as Saurashtra’s seamers did the damage.
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The team management later clarified that he was rested for precautionary reasons ahead of India’s upcoming ODI series against England and the Champions Trophy in Dubai. A reasonable explanation, but it also serves as a loophole that top-tier players can exploit—being available without fully engaging in the grind. “He was not injured. We had just rested him on the field as a precautionary measure as he will part of India’s Champions Trophy squad,” a Saurashtra team member told The Indian Express.
