Star Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has announced his retirement from T20I cricket. He made his decision public on Sunday, June 30, through an Instagram post. Jadeja was part of the Indian XI that defeated South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2024 final at the Kensington Oval. In the final over, he scored two runs off two balls and bowled just one over, conceding 12 runs.
Although his performance in the T20 World Cup 2024 final wasn’t his best, Jadeja has delivered some exceptional performances for India in T20 cricket. Here are his top five T20I performances.
#1 1/16 and 2 run-outs vs Australia, MCG, 2012
Ravindra Jadeja earned his first Man of the Match award in T20Is for a spell of 1/16 in a match against Australia in 2012. The bilateral T20I took place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on February 3, 2012.
India bowled Australia out for 131 runs in 19.4 overs. Praveen Kumar and Rahul Sharma each took two wickets, while Jadeja delivered an economical spell of 1/16 in three overs.
He dismissed David Hussey with a caught-and-bowled effort when Hussey was on 24. Additionally, Jadeja significantly contributed in the field, running out Aaron Finch and George Bailey.
India won the match by eight wickets, with Gautam Gambhir scoring an unbeaten half-century. Despite this, Jadeja was awarded Man of the Match for his outstanding fielding and bowling performance.
#2 3/16 vs Namibia, T20 World Cup 2021
Even though this was a dead rubber T20 World Cup match, it took place on a grand stage, and Jadeja delivered an excellent spell of 3/16. He trapped Stephen Baard LBW, got Craig Williams stumped, and had JJ Smit caught out.
Namibia managed to score only 132/8 in their 20 overs. In response, India reached 136/1 in 15.2 overs, winning by nine wickets. Jadeja was rightfully awarded the Man of the Match for his three-wicket haul.
#3 Ravindra Jadeja’s top bowling performance – 3/15 vs Scotland, T20 World Cup 2021
Although the match against Namibia was a dead rubber, India needed a significant win against Scotland to stay in contention for the semifinals. India dominated the Scots, winning by eight wickets, largely due to Ravindra Jadeja’s three-wicket haul.
Scotland were bowled out for just 85 runs in 17.4 overs, with Jadeja dismissing Matthew Cross and Michael Leask LBW and bowling out Richie Berrington. Jadeja was awarded Man of the Match for his performance in this game as well.
#4 44* (23) vs Australia, 2020
Jadeja never scored a half-century in his T20I career, but he often contributed with crucial cameos. One of his finest innings came against Australia at the Manuka Oval on December 4, 2020.
Despite KL Rahul’s half-century, India was struggling at 114/6. Jadeja counter-attacked with an unbeaten 44 off 23 balls, hitting five fours and a six. India ended their innings at 161/7 in 20 overs and ultimately won by 11 runs.
#5 Ravindra Jadeja’s top batting performance – 46*(29) against England, 2022
Two years ago, in a bilateral T20I match against England at Edgbaston, Ravindra Jadeja recorded his highest T20I score of 46*. On July 9, 2022, India had a strong start and were at 61/1. However, England quickly took five wickets, reducing India to 89/5.
Jadeja then played a superb inning, scoring 46 runs off 29 balls and hitting five fours. His efforts helped India reach 170, and they won the match by 49 runs.
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