Ravindra Jadeja on his knee injury: Even if I’d delayed surgery, chances were still less to play at T20 World Cup
India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja stated that his chances of playing during the 2022 T20 World Cup were less even if he had delayed his knee surgery.
Jadeja was ruled out mid-way through the Asia Cup last year due to a knee issue and underwent successful surgery. Subsequently, he missed the T20 World Cup in Australia.
The 34-year-old, who was named in India’s squads for the first two Test matches of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, said that his doctor advised him to get the surgery done before the T20 World Cup. Since then, he remained out of action until playing a Ranji Trophy match for Saurashtra. Jadeja returned with the figures of 7/53 in a Ranji Trophy match, which Tamil Nadu won by 59 runs against Saurashtra.
“I was eagerly waiting to make a comeback and play for India. I had been struggling with my knee for sometime, so surgery was needed. I had to take the decision whether to go for the surgery before the World Cup or after. Doctors advised me to do it before the World Cup because chances were less of playing at the World Cup had I not got the surgery done. So, I made up my mind to go for it,” said Jadeja in a BCCI video.
Jadeja also credited National Cricket Academy (NCA) physios and trainers for helping him in his journey to make a comeback for India. He revealed that it was frustrating to stay on the sidelines while India were playing matches.
“Excited that I’m wearing the Indian jersey after more than five months. I have been blessed that I got a chance again. The (recovery) journey was quite up and down because if you stay away from cricket for five months then it is a little bit frustrating.
“Physios and trainers at the NCA have worked a lot on my knee and given me a lot of time. Even on off days (Sunday at NCA), they used to especially come for me. Hopefully from hereon everything will be good,” Jadeja said.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia will begin on February 9 in Nagpur.