The all-rounder reflects on his mentors MS Dhoni and his childhood coach, praises Virat Kohli’s aggressive Test captaincy, and explains why Test leadership is simpler than T20.
Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja recently shared heartfelt insights into his cricketing journey during a candid conversation on Ravichandran Ashwin’s YouTube channel. He revealed a personal anecdote that reflects the deep influence of two figures named Mahendra in his life.
“My cricket journey is between two Mahendras — Mahendra Singh Chauhan, my childhood coach who introduced me to the game, and Mahendra Singh Dhoni, my guru who guided me at the highest level. I have even told this to Mahi bhai,” said Jadeja.
On the topic of captaincy, Jadeja made an interesting comparison between formats, stating that Test captaincy is easier and more straightforward than leading a team in T20s or the IPL. He hinted at the complexities and fast-paced decision-making required in the shorter formats, making Test cricket more strategic and steady in comparison.
When speaking about Virat Kohli’s tenure as India’s Test captain, Jadeja didn’t hold back his admiration:
“Virat Kohli’s approach is always positive, especially in Tests. The special thing about Virat is that he always wanted to pick 20 wickets in a Test match. Whether we were playing at home or away, whether we had 3–4 sessions left or just 45 overs — he would still believe in getting all 10 wickets. His mindset was always attacking, and he never gave up.”
Jadeja’s reflections offer a glimpse into the inner mindset of India’s top cricketers and the leadership philosophies that have shaped Indian cricket in the modern era.
