Star Indian player Ravindra Jadeja has decided to stop playing T20I cricket. He announced his retirement from the shortest form of the game on Sunday, June 30, through an Instagram post.
Jadeja played in the Indian team that won the T20 World Cup 2024 final against South Africa at Kensington Oval. He batted briefly in the final over, scoring two runs off two balls. Bowling only one over, he conceded 12 runs.
Although Jadeja didn’t perform at his peak in the T20 World Cup 2024 final, he has had outstanding performances for India in T20 cricket in the past.
Here are his top five T20I performances.
5. 1/16 and 2 run-outs vs Australia, MCG, 2012
Ravindra Jadeja won his first Best Player award in T20 matches for bowling well against Australia in 2012. The game was at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on February 3, 2012. India stopped Australia from scoring too much, with Praveen Kumar and Rahul Sharma each taking two wickets. Jadeja bowled only 16 runs in three overs and dismissed David Hussey when he had scored 24 runs. Jadeja also helped by running out Aaron Finch and George Bailey. India won the game easily.
Even though it was a match that didn’t affect the outcome of the T20 World Cup, it was still an important game. Jadeja bowled exceptionally well, taking 3 wickets for just 16 runs. He got Stephen Baard out LBW, had Craig Williams stumped, and caught JJ Smit out.
Namibia could only score 132 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in their 20 overs. India easily chased down the target, reaching 136 runs for the loss of 1 wicket in just 15.2 overs, winning the match by nine wickets. Jadeja, rightly, was named the Man of the Match for his impressive performance, taking three crucial wickets.
3. Ravindra Jadeja’s best bowling performance – 3/15 vs Scotland, T20 World Cup 2021
In a match that didn’t affect the final results, India had to beat Scotland strongly to stay in the semifinals race. They easily defeated Scotland by eight wickets, with Ravindra Jadeja taking three important wickets. Scotland scored only 85 runs before getting all out. Jadeja was named the best player of the match for his performance.
Jadeja never scored 50 runs in a T20I match, but he played important short innings many times. One of his top performances was against Australia at Manuka Oval on December 4, 2020.
Even though KL Rahul scored 50 runs, India were in trouble at 114/6 during the match. Then Jadeja hit 44 runs from just 23 balls, with five fours and a six. India ended with 161/7 in 20 overs and won by 11 runs in the end.
1. Ravindra Jadeja’s best batting performance – 46*(29) vs England, 2022
Two years ago, Jadeja scored his best T20I score of 46 not out against England at Edgbaston. India had a good start on July 9, 2022, reaching 61/1. But England took five quick wickets, and India fell to 89/5.
Then, Ravindra Jadeja played a great innings, scoring 46 runs off 29 balls with five fours. India reached 170 runs and won the match by 49 runs.