My life still revolves around cricket: Ajay Jadeja in Lucknow

Former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja was in Lucknow recently for a blind cricket tournament organized by a private medical college in the city. India’s premier middle-order batsman and one of India’s best fielders between 1992-2000, the cricketer is no stranger to the city and has been a regular visitor since the days he started playing Sheesh Mahal Cricket Tournament. Ask him about his memories, sipping a cup of coffee on a cold day, the all-rounder cricketer shares, “Lucknow se naata toh hamaara garmi ka hai.When I used to play in Sheesh Mahal trophy here, the matches used to start as early as 5.30 am and wind up early because the temperatures soared to 48 degrees Celsius. After relaxing in the afternoon, the cricketers used to go for Lucknow darshan in the evening. We used to explore the nearby markets to buy local stuff and after that, we all used to have Tundey kebabs and biryani. And while going back from the city, it was customary for me to buy some chikan clothes and a chikan sari for my mother. So, I have a lot of memories of the city. Unfortunately, this time due to a busy schedule I will not be able to do Lucknow darshan.”
Ajay Jadeja (BCCL/ Farhan Ahmad Siddiqui)
A force to be reckoned with, and one of the best finishers that India produced in the 90s, Ajay has been keeping a low profile since the past few years. When asked whether he misses playing international cricket, he candidly replies, “Ek umar hoti hai and ab toh baal bhi safed ho gaye, so yeh bhi ek life ka pehlu hai ki ek umar tak hi iska anand le sakte hain. Toh ab khelne ka waqt nikal gaya, ab isko dekhte hain aur iske saath jeete hain.”
When quizzed about his current engagements, Ajay says, “I am associated with cricket at different levels and at different places. Khel ke ird-gird hi rehte hain, aur kahan jayenge. Shauk hi yeh hai aur keh lijiye, taleem bhi yehi hai. Aur kuchh aata nahi hai. Iske alawa kahin mazaa bhi nahi aata, idhar udhar bhale he bhatke par ghoom-phir kar khel mein hi aate hain.”
Ajay Jadeja (BCCL/ Farhan Ahmad Siddiqui)
The all-rounder, who has also acted in films Kai Po Che, Pal Pal Dil Ke Ssaat and Khel, has no plans for a second innings in Bollywood. “Dekhiye galti kari thi, ab dobara galti na kare toh accha hai. But without doing it, I would have never known that it was a mistake. There was an opportunity that time so I did it, and I learned quite a few things. Not everybody can do everything but you can at least give a try and that’s what I did!” Ajay says with a smile. So, quiz him whether it’s a strict no to films or depends on an opportunity and he is quick to reply, “Na toh life mein kisi cheez ki nahi honi chahiye and you should be always ready to learn something new. But if I wanted a career in films I would have stayed back in Mumbai. People think acting is an easy job but trust me it is one of the most difficult things. Woh duniya hi alag hai and I feel until you are dedicated to what you are doing then you can’t be successful.”
The India Cricket team's recent historic run in Australia and now in New Zealand has established them as strong contenders for the upcoming World Cup. Jadeja, who was one of the best fielders and played 15 Test matches and 196 One Day Internationals during his career from 1992-2000, is all praises for the current squad. “Our team is World No.1 now and there is no doubt about it. And ab toh zamana hi badal gaya hai, apni team itna dominate karti hai ki finish ki toh baari hi nahi aati,” shares an elated Jadeja. Adding, he says, “Till 3-4 years back, the team relied heavily on Dhoni to save a match despite their best efforts. But ab toh hamaari team itni aage hai ki koi bhi match khatam kar sakta hai, be it Rohit or Kohli.” Ask him, whom he considers the best finisher in the current team and he candidly replies with a smile, “Hum toh Dhoni sahab ke deewane hai.”