Australia's legendary pacer Brett Lee had a humorous yet pointed observation about Ravindra Jadeja's injury risk. Lee playfully suggested that the all-rounder's famous bat-twirling sword celebration might be more of a threat to his shoulder health than the rigors of a match.
Brett Lee on Ravindra Jadeja's sword celebration
This iconic celebration holds a deeper meaning for Jadeja, who comes from a proud Rajput family. In their traditions, the sword dance is a significant way to express courage and happiness during celebrations. Unable to use an actual sword on the field, the all-rounder uses his bat to perform these moves, honoring his heritage and embodying the spirit of a Rajput warrior.
“The only way I see him getting injured is doing a rotator cuff, with the way he does the sword celebration. I love it. Look after your body; don't celebrate too hard,” Lee said on his YouTube channel.
Jadeja was the most experienced player in India's new-look Test squad, and he proved his immense value on the England tour. With the bat, he was exceptional, scoring 516 runs, including one century and five half-centuries. With the ball, he was just as effective, taking seven wickets in the five-Test series. His consistent performance highlighted why he is considered one of India's top all-rounders, particularly in Test cricket.
Lee praised Jadeja’s relentless energy and skill, describing him as a 'factory-made cricketer' who excels in every aspect of the game. He noted Jadeja's confident batting, controlled bowling, and sharp fielding as hallmarks of his complete game. Lee also predicted that Jadeja has at least two more years of Test cricket left in him, which would allow him to reach the significant milestone of 100 Test matches.
“You know, another sort of 15 tests is about two years. I think he'll go past the 100 mark. I think he's one of the best all-rounders that we've seen. 36 years of age, he's still got a good couple of years left in him. The term we like to use is "factory-made cricketer." He has everything that a cricketer needs, and I think he ticks every single box. He does the basics right; he's got a simple technique, no fuss. He runs in and bowls accurately; he bowls the correct line and length when needed and gets through his overs quickly," Lee added.
Lee expressed great admiration for Jadeja's fitness, especially considering the all-rounder is 36 years old. The Australian great highlighted Jadeja as the fittest player on the Indian team, noting his impressive ground coverage and his personal pride in being among the fittest cricketers of his generation. Lee believes that this exceptional fitness is the very reason Jadeja never hesitates to step up in crucial moments during a match. He concluded by praising Jadeja's complete game and unwavering commitment.
“He likes to be in the game, he's an entertainer, and he's probably one of the factory cricketers that if you put everything into a mix, throw it into a bucket, mix it all up, and pick out your best cricketer, Jadeja will be at the top of the list,” Lee concluded.