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Ravindra Jadeja is making a return to competitive cricketer after missing half of Asia Cup, T20 World Cup and several bilateral series. Jadeja who will lead Saurashtra in their Ranji Trophy Group B clash against Tamil Nadu starting January 24 has said that his first priority is to regain full fitness ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy which commences next month.
"I am feeling good to be back on the field. Very excited. Hopefully it will come good as a team and as an individual also," the all-rounder told reporters after spending one hour in the nets on the eve of his comeback to Ranji Trophy.
"...See my first priority is to get on the field and be fit...100 per cent fit. Once I am 100 per cent fit, I will work more on my skills, whether it is batting or bowling. Now, my first priority is fitness..."
Jadeja completed his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), Bengaluru after undergoing knee surgery. The southpaw has been picked in the Test squad for the first two Tests against Australia but his participation with be subject to fitness.
"I was at the NCA for 20 days. I was doing batting and bowling. Match scenario is different. I wanted one game before the Australia series, that's why I am here."
Jadeja was asked about whether he is feeling any discomfort in his knee to which he replied, "Not really...after five months I am playing competitive cricket, so you don't feel confident initially.
"But as you progress, then definitely you get better and better. Injury is part of any sport. If you get injured, you have to start from scratch. The same thing in cricket.
"I was out of action for 5 months. I have to build my fitness. Once I get the confidence, I will definitely work on my skills and I will get better day by day."
The 34-year-old expressed that there is nothing a player can do as injury is very common in cricket.
"You feel bad. Nobody wants to get injured at your peak time. It is part of the game. You have to keep that in mind and be prepared for it. You can't do anything. There is no guarantee that one won't get injured in cricket.
"It was a ligament tear. It is coming good. I am slowly getting confident."
Jadeja emphasised on the need of playing a game to assess whether he has fully recovered.
"As I said, a match is a different thing. Different ball game...I will try to give my 100 per cent. I will try to go slowly, slowly. Let's see how my leg is feeling and then we will see."
In the absence of Rishabh Pant who survived a horrific car accident, India have named Srikar Bharat and Ishan Kishan as the two options in the squad. Both wicketkeepers are yet to make their Test debut.
"I am comfortable with everyone. First, I need to be comfortable...(laughs) They both are very good keepers. Srikar Bharat is coming into the squad now. He has to learn a lot of things. He will learn and get better and better as he plays more number of games," he said.
Jadeja was asked about mental challenges the injury posed as it kept him out of action for a long time.
"Actually, fortunately I was busy with some other things...It helped me a lot. I was not thinking too much about cricket, two-three months after I got injured and had my surgery. I was busy with some election things(her wife's), that helped me a lot," he replied.
