Veteran Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was expected to play a big role for Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the ongoing IPL 2026 following a high-profile trade from Chennai Super Kings (CSK), but his performances so far have been ordinary with both bat and ball.
Jadeja’s batting is becoming a big concern for Rajasthan Royals in the ongoing IPL 2026 as his slow approach in the middle overs is putting pressure on the team. He has scored only 152 runs in 10 matches so far at a good average of over 50 but a poor strike rate of around 130.
Ravindra Jadeja’s slow batting is hurting Rajasthan Royals’ IPL 2026 campaign
However, the left-arm spinner has been economical (7.73), taking only seven wickets so far this season. The inability to attack the spinners has been troubling them the most this season and this issue is not new. Jadeja has found it difficult to score fast runs against spin bowling since 2020.
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Jadeja avoids taking risks against the spinners and often plays it safe, which helps the bowlers take control of the game easily. His strike rate against spin between 2022 and 2025 was 94.28, which is not good at all for any regular middle-order batsman. The same problem is clearly visible in this season also.
He has hit only two sixes in 117 balls so far this season, which shows that he is not trying to dominate but rather stay at the crease, slowing down Rajasthan Royals.
In his previous IPL 2026 match against Delhi Capitals, Jadeja was sent up the order to make an impact. But he was out after scoring just 20 runs off 14 balls, while Donovan Ferreira made a significant impact with 47 not out off just 14 balls, despite falling down the order.
He is not listening: Ravichandran Ashwin on Ravindra Jadeja’s spin struggles
After RR’s crushing defeat to Delhi Capitals, now Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed concern about this. The former off-spinner, who shared the India and CSK dressing room with Jadeja, shared that the RR all-rounder was told several times to hit the spinners aggressively, but he did not listen to anyone.
Ashwin further sprinkled salt on Jadeja by saying that he has not made any changes and that is why Axar Patel is getting preference because he attacks without any fear. He said that Jadeja is playing defensive cricket and teams are now making smart use of this weakness in the middle overs.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ash Ki Baat, Ravichandran Ashwin said, “Many people, including coaches, have talked to Ravindra Jadeja about taking on the spinners more aggressively, but he is not listening. During the 2024 T20 World Cup, whenever India needed a left-handed batsman in the upper order, he chose Axar Patel instead of the more experienced Jadeja. The reason is simple: Axar does not hesitate. He takes on spinners and every other bowler. Let’s face it with confidence.”
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Ravindra Jadeja’s mentality is similar to MS Dhoni: Ashwin
Ashwin took a bold step by comparing Jadeja’s style to MS Dhoni and said that his style is outdated in the modern T20 game. He signed off by saying, “Ravindra Jadeja has this mentality similar to that of MS Dhoni, with whom he has partnered for many years in the Indian team. Both like to take the game deep and target the fast bowlers.”
Ravi Ashwin is unhappy with Ravindra Jadeja’s cautious approach against the spinners.
Ashwin said:
“Many people, including coaches, have talked to Ravindra Jadeja about taking on the spinners more aggressively, but he is not listening. During the 2024 T20WC, whenever India… pic.twitter.com/iXmUyO6DVe
– AK 45 (@ImRo45_Club) 1 May 2026