Jadeja and Pujara from Saurashtra break 30 year jinx, are part of the playing 11.
It was a historic day for Saurashtra on Thursday. The region saw an unprecedented turnout of voters in the assembly elections in the region. Secondly, after three decades, two Saurashtra cricketers were again part of the Indian playing eleven. The sleeping giant - Saurashtra – seemed to have woken up.
Ravindra Jadeja joined Cheteshwar Pujara to make his Test debut in the Nagpur Test against England. Jadeja was a toddler when Tendulkar made his debut in 1989. On Thursday, Jadeja received his Test cap from the batting maestro.
"When I saw Jadeja earning his cap, the first thought that came to my mind was, when did two Saurashtrians play for India together (as part of the playing eleven)? It is certainly a historic moment for us," said Bimal Jadeja, former captain of Saurashtra.
It may be noted that Saurashtra has been called the cradle of Indian cricket. The legendary ruler of Jamnagar, late KS Ranjitsinhji, is credited with promoting the gentleman's game in the country. But after the 1980s, there was a dry spell of sorts until Cheteshwar Pujara made his Test debut in 2010.
Discarded Jaydev Unadkat echoed similar sentiments. "It is a proud moment for us. In fact, Ravindra and Cheteshwar have motivated all of us. Our hard work has prevailed and Saurashtra is back in the reckoning," said Unadkat, who has one Test to his credit. Interestingly Unadkat, who played his only Test in South Africa in 2011, had also received the Test cap from Tendulkar.
According to former Test cricketer Karsan Ghavri, Saurashtra has a lot of talent. "They just need an opportunity. The way Pujara did and now Jadeja has shown, Saurashtra has a lot of potential. Both have started off well and I hope they will continue to serve the country for long time," said Ghavri.
The former all-rounder, who has opened bowling for India, said he wanted to see Jadeja do it. "He has been effective. And I feel he will be equally dangerous with the new ball. I am just keeping my fingers crossed. If successful in the first innings, the captain might give him a new ball," Ghavri added.
At home, Ravindra's family can't stop rejoicing. "Our dreams have come true. Now he has played in all the formats of the game. And, most importantly, he didn’t disappoint. I will never forget his first Test wicket. The way he bowled out the England batsman (Jonathan Trott) was amazing. He has proved his worth," said Ravindra’s sister, Naina. In the same breath, she added: "He had a tough time, especially after he was dropped. But he has worked hard and earned his spot."
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