Big boost for India as Ravindra Jadeja returns to action, all rounder set to play Ranji Trophy ahead of Test series against Australia

Source: Twitter

India's star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja will be back in action after a long break from cricket due to an injury. Jadeja has reached Chennai to take part in Saurashtra's Ranji Trophy 2022-23 tie against Tamil Nadu, which will start from Tuesday. Jadeja took to Instagram to confirm that he had reached Chennai to play the match. "Vanakkam (greetings) Chennai," read his story. Jadeja's return from injury is a big boost for India ahead of the Test series for the World Test Championship (WTC) against Australia. The all-rounder has a fantastic first-class record against his name.

In 114 matches and 169 innings, he has amassed 6,579 runs at an average of 46.65. He has 12 centuries and 34 half-centuries in the format, with the best score of 331. He has 453 wickets to his name, with the best bowling effort of 7/31. Jadeja had to leave the Asia Cup last September to undergo surgery on his right knee.

The injury caused him to miss the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia, where India bowed out in the semis after a humiliating ten-wicket loss to England. The national selectors named him in the 17-man Test squad for the first half of the four-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which starts in Nagpur on February 9.

The second Test of the series will be played in Delhi, followed by the final two Tests in Dharamsala and Ahmedabad. While the all-rounder has been named in the 17-member Test squad for the home series against Australia that begins next month, his inclusion is subject to fitness ahead of the series.

'Vanakkam Chennai': Ravindra Jadeja reaches city for Ranji match against Tamil Nadu#RavindraJadeja #VannakamChennai #Chennai pic.twitter.com/HPUeDrTh3V

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The selectors clarified that Jadeja will be considered for selection only if the NCA certifies his fitness.Jadeja reportedly resumed batting and bowling earlier this week but has to clear fitness tests to be considered ready and available for competitive cricket.A southpaw, who bats at No. 5 or No. 6 in the red-ball as well as limited-overs formats for India, provides balance to the middle order alongside R Ashwin, the country`s top spinner, especially in the absence of Rishabh Pant.

The series is a big one for both teams as they look to nail down a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final. The series begins in Nagpur on February 9 with Tests in Delhi, Dharamsala and Ahmedabad.

India defeated Australia 2-1 in what was one of the most exciting bilateral series ever played in Australia. The star all-rounder had a solid 2022, both with bat and ball. In nine T20Is, Jadeja scored 201 runs in eight innings at an average of 50.25. His best individual score is 46* this year in the format. Besides this, he has taken five wickets, with the best figures of 1/15.

In three Tests, he scored 328 runs in five innings at an average of 82.00. He had smashed two centuries in the longer format of the sport. His best score is 175* that he scored against Sri Lanka. He had also taken 10 wickets in this format with the best figures of 5/41.In three ODIs, he scored 36 runs in two innings at an average of 36.00. His best score in format this year is 29. He has also taken a wicket in the format.

India's Test squad for the first two Tests against Australia: Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KS Bharat (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), R. Ashwin, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat and Suryakumar Yadav. (With ANI inputs)