Ravindra Jadeja has emerged in the last few years as one of the greatest all-rounders India has ever produced across formats. It was under Dhoni that Jadeja started his India career as well and reports indicate that lengthy chats with him before the start of the season is what made Jadeja happy again to play for the four-time champions.
Jadeja said on Star Sports –
“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.”
He has said now that Dhoni was not the first “Mahendra” or “MS” in his cricketing journey. That was Mahendra Singh Chauhan, the Jamnagar based cricket coach who was Jadeja’s childhood mentor.
Jadeja added – “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.”
Jadeja further said –
“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.”
Jadeja further added – “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.”
