‘Jaddu’ to ‘Sir’ Ravindra Jadeja, know all about Team India’s go-to man

Sports Desk: India defeated West Indies in their second group game on Tuesday to secure a semi final berth, and one of the heroes for Team India was Ravindra Jadeja.

Often ridiculed for underperformance, the Saurashtra all-rounder took a career best 5/36 against West Indies on Tuesday. This despite Darren Sammy went on rampage in the closing stages of the West Indian innings.

We bring you a sneak peek in Jadeja’s struggles. 

Ravindra Jadeja was born in Saurashtra’s Navagam-Khed in a lower-middle class family.

His father Aniruddha Singh, a retired army personnel, worked as a watchman in a private security agency. 

However, rising through the ranks of domestic circuit by sheer dint of hard work, Jadeja turned the fortunes of his family.

  

Jadeja’s mother Lata, who worked as a nurse in Jamnagar’s civil hospital, nursed the dream of watching her son play for India. 

Though he fulfilled his mother’s dream, Jadeja’s mother is no more to witness his success story. 

She died of a road accident in 2005.

  

Jadeja’s father wanted him to become an army officer, however, his mother made sure he pursued cricket. 

It turned out to be a master stroke as Jadeja, barely 24, has equaled Sir Don Bradman. 

  

Jadeja, by scoring three triple centuries in Ranji Trophy, is the only Indian to have achieved the feat. He joins Sir Don Bradman in the select club.

Making his debut against England in Nagpur, Jadeja has kickstarted a promising career.  

In December 2012, before his 24th birthday, Jadeja scored a fine triple century against Railways, and became the youngest Indian to score three triple centuries in first class cricket.

He overcame Virender Sehwag, and became the second youngest cricketer ever to score three triple tons. 

The youngest batsman to score three triple hundreds is Sir Don Bradman, who achieved the feat one month shy of his 22nd birthday.

  

Ravindra Jadeja is the only Indian batsman to have scored three triple hundreds. Prior to him, five Indians had scored two triple tons each.

They include the likes of Virender Sehwag, Vijay Hazare, VVS Laxman, Raman Lamba and Wasim Jaffar.

Only 8 batsmen worldwide have managed to score three triple tons. Jadeja is the lone Indian in the select club.