Jadeja Still Searches for One Epic

Despite a bevy of good shows, single-handed match-winning performance is yet to come

- FIROZ MIRZA

IX years ago, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was in the middle of an improbable chase at Old Trafford. The match, spread over two days, kept every Indian fan hooked to their TV sets as Jadeja and MS Dhoni tried hard to take their team over the line against New Zealand in the World Cup semifinal.

India were reduced to 92/6 when the Saurashtra cricketer joined his Chennai Super Kings captain Dhoni in pursuit of a 240-run target. They slowly rebuilt the innings and were looking on course for scripting an unbelievable win for India when Jadeja got out after scoring 77 off 59. Dhoni perished soon after and India lost the match by 18 runs. It was kind of deja vu for Indian fans when they once witnessed Jadeja striving for an unlikely victory against England in the third Test at Lord's on Day Five at Lord's. The format was different and so were the opponents but Jadeja's mission remained the same – an improbable win from the jaws of defeat. Unfortunately, the script remained the same as both India and Jadeja once again finished on the losing side.