'I learnt a lot about cricket in the IPL'

A member of India's very successful Under-19 team, he made his first-class debut in the inter-zonal Duleep Trophy before he began playing for Saurashtra in the Ranji Trophy. He excelled with the bat in the inaugural Indian Premier League and was one of the architects of the Rajasthan Royals' triumph in the Twenty20 tournament.

Nicknamed 'Rock Star' by Rajasthan Royals captain Shane Warne, Jadeja dominated the recent Ranji Trophy with ball and bat. His reward was a place in Team India on the Sri Lankan tour for five One-Day Internationals.

Haresh Pandya caught up with the young all-rounder before he left for the land of Kiwis. Jadeja is in the squad only for the two Twenty20 matches that will be played prior to the five-match ODI series and three Tests.

How prepared are you for New Zealand?

I hope to do well stake my claim for selection in the Indian team for the Twenty20 World Cup, scheduled to be played in England in June.

Have you consulted any senior player who has the experience of playing in New Zealand?

I've discussed something about the bouncy New Zealand pitches with my idol, Yuvraj Singh. We both are left-handers and he has given me some tips on how to face short, rising deliveries on New Zealand wickets.

What about your left-arm orthodox spin bowling?

I've been working on bringing in more variations in my bowling. It's important for a spinner to maintain his line and length on wickets more conducive to pace bowling. I'm going to New Zealand for the first time and I can actually plan my strategies only after landing there and looking at the condition of wickets.

Don't you think you are being increasingly branded a Twenty20 specialist following your success in the IPL?

I don't think so, nor will I like to be regarded as such. I've done pretty well with the ball and bat in the just-concluded Ranji Trophy season. I enjoy playing all sorts of cricket. My record in one-dayers is also fairly good.

It's the demand of modern cricket that you've to be able to adjust your style to different versions of the game.

Which is your favourite cricket format?

One-Day International cricket. I love to be in action all the time. And there is usually a lot of action in one-day cricket. The best part of one-day cricket is that the result of the match is always guaranteed. You can't say the same about the longer version of the game.

You recently played an ODI in Sri Lanka. How was the experience?

I was thrilled to represent my country. You can imagine how happy I was when my captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, told me I was in the playing eleven; or when Sachin Tendulkar gave me my India cap. It was my late mother's wish to see me play for India.

I was obviously happy to score a fifty on debut, but I would have been delighted if I had done remarkably well in the bowling department as well.

Overall, how do you view the Sri Lanka tour?

It was great touring with the greats I've grown up admiring. It was a nice learning experience for a youngster like me. You learn a lot by seeing your seniors in action and by interacting with them. All my team-mates were very encouraging.

Did you expect to be selected in India's one-day team too for New Zealand?

I thought I had done my bit in my only ODI on the Sri Lankan tour, so I was hoping to be picked for the ODIs in New Zealand. But I'm not too disappointed. In fact, I'm very happy that I've been selected for the two Twenty20 games on the tour.

I'm quite young, and if I continue performing consistently well in all departments of the game, I'm sure opportunities will come my way.

It is after ages that someone from Jamnagar has represented India. Have you ever given a thought to this fact?

Of course, I've. It's a nice feeling that I belong to Jamnagar, a small town which has produced some truly big cricketers. I've derived enough inspiration from the exploits of stalwarts like K S Ranjitsinhji, K S Duleepsinhji, Vinoo Mankad and Salim Durrani. I want to do well at the international level and bring laurels for my beloved Jamnagar, just like these greats did.

You have excelled in bowling as well as batting almost throughout your still flourishing career. Are you stronger in bowling or batting?

It isn't a question of being stronger in one particular department. I think I'm equally good in bowling, batting and fielding. I've the talents for bowling, batting and fielding backed by substantial performances to call myself an all-rounder in the true sense of the word.

Which are your best bowling and batting performances so far?

Actually, both came in the recent Ranji season. I took 7 for 31 against Hyderabad in Rajkot and was instrumental in dismissing it for 71 when it required just 177 runs to win the match.

Before that I scored 232 not out and shared an unbeaten world record partnership of 520 runs for the fifth wicket with Cheteshwar Pujara, who made a wonderful 302 not out, against Orissa at Rajkot. It remains my best batting performance, not just from the statistical point of view.

You scored 143 not out against Delhi in trying circumstances and also came up with two important innings of 38 and 55 in the quarter-final against Karnataka. What about those knocks?

I was happy essaying all those three knocks. But I thoroughly enjoyed playing my innings of 232 against Orissa. I played all my shots almost at will and it was an unforgettable experience to strike a mammoth partnership with Cheteshwar Pujara.

You emerged as one of the stars in the IPL. How was the experience playing with and against many big guns?

It was a great, memorable experience. To play with and against many players you've admired all your life was simply indescribable. And to be a member of the champion Rajasthan Royals was a very special feeling.

I learnt a lot about cricket in the IPL. My captain Shane Warne always encouraged and supported me to the hilt. The IPL taught me how to handle pressure while playing at the international level.

What have you learnt from your experience as a cricketer so far?