Former England cricket star Geoffrey Boycott has declared Ravindra Jadeja as his favorite cricketer, highlighting his all-round abilities and the enthusiasm he brings to the game. Speaking on the *Stick to Cricket* podcast, which also featured prominent English cricket figures, Boycott singled out Jadeja’s skills and the positive impact he has on the field. Boycott, who played in 108 Test matches and scored over 8,000 runs, revealed he admires Jadeja’s gameplay from afar. “I like Jadeja… He’s always in the game – bowling left-arm spin, brilliant in the field, and more than handy with the bat. But more than that, he lifts the whole team with his presence. That kind of influence can’t be measured in stats,” Boycott said. He also commended Jadeja’s competitive spirit and mental strength. “He always has a smile on his face, but he’s tough inside. That’s the kind of cricketer I love – competitive, cheerful, and mentally strong. He’s helped Chennai Super Kings win five IPL titles, and in Test cricket too, he’s been exceptional for India.”
Jadeja’s career is marked by remarkable statistics across all formats. He has played 363 matches, scoring 7,207 runs at an average of 33.83, with five centuries and 40 half-centuries. With the ball, he has claimed 615 wickets at an average of 29.42, including 17 five-wicket hauls and three ten-wicket hauls. In Test cricket, Jadeja’s impact is particularly significant. In 85 Tests, he has scored 3,886 runs at an average of 37.72, featuring five centuries and 40 fifties. He has also taken 330 wickets at an average of 25.16, including 15 five-fors and three ten-wicket hauls.
During India’s tour of England, Jadeja’s performances were outstanding, finishing as India’s fourth-highest run-scorer. He scored 516 runs in 10 innings, averaging 86.00, with one century and five fifties. Additionally, he took seven wickets. His performance made him the third-highest Indian run-getter in England with 1,158 runs, behind only Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. Jadeja has also taken 34 wickets in England, solidifying his status as one of the most successful Indian all-rounders in overseas conditions. Notably, only Garry Sobers of the West Indies has more runs and wickets in England than Jadeja, among players who have batted primarily at number six or below. Sobers scored 1,820 runs and took 62 wickets, while Jadeja has 1,158 runs and 34 wickets.
