ICC Champions Trophy: Gautam Gambhir hails "underrated" Ravindra Jadeja

Amid all his bat-brandishing celebrations, Ravindra Jadeja has this puzzling tendency to fly under the radar. Always a part of the team in their highs and lows, Jadeja seldom hogs the limelight for himself. Yet, he is one of the rare all-rounders who fires seamlessly from both fronts. As a spinner, Jadeja is capable of rattling opponent lineups with his web of spin. As a batter, meanwhile, he has the ability to either stabilize or accelerate the innings based on the demands of the situation, making him a crucial lower-order pick.

What's more, Jadeja's name runs parallel to discussions about the greatest fielders ever witnessed in the game of cricket. Fortunately, the dressing room is well aware of the impact he commands on the game. As the Men in Blue gear up for the India vs New Zealand ICC Champions Trophy final, head coach Gautam Gambhir has highlighted the all-rounder's contributions.

ICC Champions Trophy final: Gautam Gambhir highlights Ravindra Jadeja as a crucial pick ahead of India vs New Zealand final

Ravindra Jadeja has been one of the most crucial picks in India's unbeaten run at the ICC Champions Trophy. The all-rounder has consistently contributed to the team's spin department, which has been the most successful aspect of India's campaign in Dubai. Now, with just one fixture remaining between India and the ICC Champions Trophy title, head coach Gautam Gambhir has lauded Jadeja for his contributions to the team.

The former batter echoed the sentiments of Jadeja's former teammate Ravi Ashwin, who pointed out that Jadeja often flies under the radar when credit is being shared for the success of the Men in Blue. Recognizing him as one of the finest all-rounders in the world, Gambhir pointed out that Jadeja often doesn’t receive the appreciation he truly deserves. However, within the Indian dressing room, his impact is well understood and highly valued.

"I've always felt that he's always gone under the radar. I think he's someone we don't speak highly about. See what he's done to Indian cricket, be it test format, be it a T20 format or in 50-over format. I think he's very important to Indian cricket in what he's done, not just with a bat or ball, in the field as well. He's, I think, one of the top all-rounders going around in world cricket. We in the dressing room know the value of Ravindra Jadeja. It's not what happens outside the dressing room," Gautam Gambhir said in his recent interaction with the ICC.

As India gears up for the high-stakes clash against New Zealand, Gambhir acknowledged Jadeja’s significant role in the campaign. The left-arm spinner has been a vital asset on the tricky surfaces at the Dubai International Stadium, delivering crucial breakthroughs. So far in the tournament, he has picked up four wickets across four matches, maintaining an economy rate of 4.86 and an average of 35.43.

Although Jadeja’s batting opportunities have been limited, he has made appearances in two innings, against New Zealand and Australia, scoring 16 and an unbeaten two runs, respectively. While his batting numbers in this tournament might not be eye-catching, his ability to contribute in the middle order remains a major strength.