Ravindra

Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja Biography and Career

One of the best all-rounders in Indian cricket, Ravindra Jadeja was born on December 6, 1998 in Navagam-Khed, a small town near Jamnagar, Gujarat. His father, Anirudhsinh Jadeja, worked as a watchman, while his mother, Lata, was a nurse. Tragically, a young Jadeja lost his mother in 2005, during his early days in age group cricket. 

Jadeja's cricketing journey began with domestic cricket in Saurashtra. His first major tournament was the 2006 U-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka, but a 17-year-old Jadeja couldn't make the most of the opportunities presented to him. However, he bounced back to form and was named the vice-captain for the 2008 U-19 World Cup, which India won under the captaincy of Virat Kohli. 

Jadeja’s IPL career began in 2008 after he was snapped up by the Rajasthan Royals for the inaugural season. Over the years, he became one of the biggest names in the league, playing mostly for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). 

A year after making his IPL debut, Jadeja made his debut for India. But his first few years in international cricket weren't impressive. A disastrous 2009 World T20, in particular, made his performances come under the scanner. 

It was not until his Test debut in 2012 when things improved for Jadeja in international cricket and he began to establish himself as one of the finest all-rounders. There was no looking back after that, and Jadeja became an integral member of the Indian Cricket Team across formats, and excelled especially in Tests in the subcontinent. 

The left-arm spinner's supreme fitness levels have largely helped him become a great bowler. He can bowl tight lines to restrict runs and take crucial wickets in the middle overs. As a batter, he has often stepped up during challenging situations to rescue the team. His fielding is among the best in the world, with lightning reflexes and pinpoint accuracy.

Following India's T20 World Cup triumph in June 2024, Jadeja announced retirement from the game's shortest format, but continues to be available for selection in the two longer formats as of January 2025. 

Beyond cricket 

Ravindra Jadeja, who comes from the Rajput lineage, is known for his lively personality and love for horses and swords. His famous "sword celebration" on the cricket pitch has become iconic. Jadeja first performed the "sword celebration" in 2014 when he scored a half-century at Lord's. Ever since then, we've seen it from him multiple times. 

Jadeja is also a family man who often shares glimpses of his family on social media. Jadeja tied the knot with Rivaba Solanki on April 17, 2016, in a lavish ceremony in Rajkot. A mechanical engineer by education, Rivaba had an arranged marriage with the cricketer. The couple welcomed their daughter, Nidhyana, in June 2017.

By profession Rivaba is an active politician who joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2019. In 2022, she was elected as a member of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly from the Jamnagar North constituency. Rivaba also runs and NGO to support women empowerment. 

As of January 2025, Ravindra Jadeja's net worth is estimated to be somewhere around Rs 120 crore. His annual income is estimated to be around Rs 20 crore. The all-rounder's three major sources of income are his salary from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), earnings from the Indian Premier League (IPL), and various brand endorsements.

Ravindra Jadeja ODI records 

First Indian bowler to top ODI Player Rankings (2013) - In 2013, Ravindra Jadeja became the first Indian bowler to top the bowlers' chart in the ICC ODI Player Rankings since Anil Kumble in 1996.  

Third Indian to score 2,000 runs and take 150 wickets (2019) - In March 2019, during an ODI against Australia, Jadeja became the third cricketer from India to score 2,000 runs and take 150 wickets in ODIs.

Ravindra Jadeja Test records 

Fastest left-arm bowler to 200 wickets (2019) - In October 2019, he became the quickest left-arm bowler to reach 200 Test wickets.

First Indian left-arm spinner to take 300 wickets (2024) - In 2024, against Bangladesh, he became the first Indian left-arm spinner to pick 300 Test Wickets and overall, the seventh bowler to take 300-plus wickets for India in Tests.

Fastest Indian to 250 wickets and 2500 runs (2023) - Against Australia in 2023, Jadeja became the fastest Indian to claim 250 wickets and score 2500 runs in Test cricket (62 Tests) 

Highest score by an Indian batting at number 7 (2022) - Against Sri Lanka in 2022, Jadeja scored 175* (228), breaking the previous record of 163 runs set by Kapil Dev in 1986. Jadeja also took nine wickets in the same Test. 

Ravindra Jadeja T20I records 

Most wickets by an Indian taken caught and bowled - Jadeja taken seven wickets in T20Is caught and bowled, the most by any Indian and third most by any player. 

Ravindra Jadeja IPL records 

Most runs in a single over (2021) - The record for the most runs in an IPL over is jointly held by Chris Gayle and Ravindra Jadeja, both of whom smashed 37 runs in an over. Jadeja smacked 36 off RCB's Harshal Patel in a seven-ball over in 2021.

Most wickets by a left-arm spinner in IPL history - Ravindra Jadeja has the most wickets by a left-arm spinner in the IPL (160)

First Indian to score 2000 runs and take 100 wickets for one T20 team (2024) - During CSK's IPL 2024 match against the Gujarat Titans, he became the first Indian cricketer ever to score 2000 runs and take 100 wickets for one team in T20s.

Ravindra Jadeja Overall international records 

First player to take nine wickets and score 150+ runs in a Test (2022) - Against Sri Lanka in 2022, he became the first player in history to take nine wickets and score 150+ runs in a Test.