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Chennai Super Kings all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja recently opened up about the two biggest influences on his cricketing career. Jadeja, who along with his team, Chennai Super Kings, is having an explosive ongoing season in the Indian Premier League talked about how the influence of two ‘Mahendras’ played a key role in his cricketing journey.
The 34-year-old J adeja revealed that former Indian skipper, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, and his childhood coach, Mahendra Singh Chouhan have a major influence on his cricketing career.
Jadeja's cricketing journey started when he was merely eight years old, and later went on to play U19 cricket for India. Jadeja excelled as a spinner and then as an all-rounder and his success came under the captaincy of the former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, both while he captained India and as he continues to captain Chennai Super Kings.
In a recent interview for a sports channel, he said, “I have told Mahi bhai this as well that, meri cricket ki journey Mahendra Singh Chouhan aur Mahendra Singh Dhoni ke beech me hi rahi hai. That is where my cricket journey started. I started in 1996 when I was eight years old in Jamnagar. Even now I sometimes go that ground to meet sir, practice cannot happen because there are about 300 to 400 kids there so it can become a big crowd.”
He further went on to say, “When I started out I wanted to become a fast bowler. I used to think seeing fast bowlers sending in bouncers that I would also be able to do that but I never had the speed. My coach Mahendra Singh Chouhan, he told me that you are not tall enough or not fast enough so please don't be under any illusions. At the time I thought, yes I don't have the height that is required. Then I started bowling left arm spin,” he said.
Jadeja’s team Chennai Super Kings is currently hanging at the third spot on the points table after winning four out of their six encounters. They will now clash against Kolkata Knight Riders on April 23, Sunday.
