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[fineleg]

http://cricket.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1499788.cms

Ravindra Jadeja practises a dying art. The 17-year-old Saurashtra all-rounder, who bowls left-arm spin, says he struggles to find an idol in India.

"I'm not inspired by any left-armer India has produced. I only admire Daniel Vettori and Ashley Giles."
<<not that Ashley sets the world on fire! Danny - maybe alrite...maybe no one else in his years>>

But Ravindra, one of India's stars at the under-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka earlier this year, doesn't have to look too far for motivation when he is on the cricket field.

"I lost my mother last year. She always wanted to see me play for India. Now I'm doubly determined to make her dream come true."

On July 22, Ravindra's mother Lata was burning dry leaves outside their small home in Jamnagar. She accidentally spilled some kerosene on her gown and it caught fire.

"I was in my room and heard her scream. I immediately rushed her to hospital. She fought for her life for five days but ultimately passed away. During those five days she kept telling me how badly she wanted to see me play for India," recalls Ravindra.

Yet to play a first-class match, Ravindra is inching close to his mother's dream. On Friday, the Std XI student of DCC High School will leave for Abu Dhabi with the India 'A' team to play a six-nation tournament featuring Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Hong Kong and Holland.

"I'm sure my turn will come soon. A left-arm spinner is always an asset and I am a middle-order batsman too. Plus Venky sir (Venkatesh Prasad) said I was the best fielder in the Indian team during the under-19 World Cup," says Ravindra.

"My age or inexperience can't go against me, because these days a lot of youngsters are getting a chance to play for India."

If and when he gets a chance to play for India, it will also lift a burden off his father's shoulders. Ravindra's father Aniruddhsinh works in a shipping company and earns just Rs 5000. Sister Padmini is studying ayurveda.

"My mother used to work as a nurse in GG Hospital and we were provided with a house by the government. Thankfully, as a special concession we've been allowed to stay in the same house on the condition that my sister joins the hospital after completing her course next year," says Ravindra.

For the moment, Ravindra is geared up for the challenge in Abu Dhabi.

"If I do well, maybe I'll get a chance for the 'A' team's tour to Australia. It will be quite an experience batting and bowling on those wickets."

Ravindra says that among the big stars in the national team, he is most keen to meet Yuvraj Singh.

"I'm a lot like him. We are both left-handed batsmen, bat in the middle-order, bowl left-arm spin and are good fielders. Like him, I too like to field at point."

[Sahir]

Ouch...somewhere Bishan Singh Bedi might be a tad peeved.  However, as senthilpeter has already mentioned, I am very surprised at Jadeja's inclusion.  He looked very much a bits and pieces cricketer, and admittedly, a sensational fielder (maybe the best in the U-19 team).  I would have preferred to see a more established cricketer with a much better chance of competing for a WC 2007 squad position.

[fineleg]

Ouch...somewhere Bishan Singh Bedi might be a tad peeved.  However, as senthilpeter has already mentioned, I am very surprised at Jadeja's inclusion.  He looked very much a bits and pieces cricketer, and admittedly, a sensational fielder (maybe the best in the U-19 team).  I would have preferred to see a more established cricketer with a much better chance of competing for a WC 2007 squad position.

I know u meant " more established cricketer " generically...
but do we know a specific - left arm spinner who is good for WC-07.
To me, we are lacking variety in spin for WC-07 - 2 offies! no legspinner (AK, PC? - will they be considered), no left arm spinners - 2 offies is No Variety for WC-07.

[Sahir]

Ouch...somewhere Bishan Singh Bedi might be a tad peeved.  However, as senthilpeter has already mentioned, I am very surprised at Jadeja's inclusion.  He looked very much a bits and pieces cricketer, and admittedly, a sensational fielder (maybe the best in the U-19 team).  I would have preferred to see a more established cricketer with a much better chance of competing for a WC 2007 squad position.

I know u meant " more established cricketer " generically...
but do we know a specific - left arm spinner who is good for WC-07.
To me, we are lacking variety in spin for WC-07 - 2 offies! no legspinner (AK, PC? - will they be considered), no left arm spinners - 2 offies is No Variety for WC-07.

Yes, we do have 2 offies, but both are doing very well of late.  Even if we did find a pretty good left-armer, I think it would be difficult to replace either of the current offies (certainly Kumble should be considered for variety and Chawla is playing for India A).  That is why it may be better to search for someone that can contribute as a batting allrounder and left arm spinner.  We currently have Yuvraj, but it would be nice to have some batsman that could be relied on even more than Yuvraj with the ball.  Maybe Vidyut or Mongia can be looked at to see if they could fill the role.