View source for Ajay Jadeja

{{short description|Indian former cricketer}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2015}}
{{Infobox cricketer
| name               = 
Ajay Jadeja
| image              = Ajay jadega.jpg
| caption            = Jadeja in 2012
| country            = India
| fullname           = Ajaysinhji Daulatsinhji Jadeja 
| nickname           = 
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|1971|02|1|df=yes}}
| birth_place        = [[Jamnagar]], [[Gujarat]], India
| heightft           = 5
| heightinch         = 10
| batting            = Right-handed
| bowling            = Right-arm [[fast bowling|medium]]
| role               = All-rounder
| family             = {{ubl|[[D. P. Jadeja|Daulatsinhji Jadeja]] (father)|[[Chatrapalsinhji]] (uncle)}}
| international      = true
| internationalspan  = 1992–2000
| testdebutdate      = 13 November
| testdebutyear      = 1992
| testdebutagainst   = South Africa
| testcap            = 196
| lasttestdate       = 26 February
| lasttestyear       = 2000
| lasttestagainst    = South Africa
| odidebutdate       = 28 February
| odidebutyear       = 1992
| odidebutagainst    = Sri Lanka
| odicap             = 85
| lastodidate        = 3 June
| lastodiyear        = 2000
| lastodiagainst     = Pakistan
| odishirt           =3 
| club1              = [[Haryana cricket team|Haryana]]
| year1              = 1988–1999
| club2              = [[Jammu and Kashmir cricket team|Jammu and Kashmir]]
| year2              = 2000
| club3              = [[Delhi cricket team|Delhi]]
| year3              = 2003–2004
| club4              = [[Rajasthan cricket team|Rajasthan]]
| year4              = 2005–2007
| club5              = Haryana
| year5              = 2013
| columns            = 4
| column1            = [[Test cricket|Test]]
| matches1           = 15
| runs1              = 576
| bat avg1           = 26.18
| 100s/50s1          = 0/4
| top score1         = 96
| deliveries1        = 0
| wickets1           = –
| bowl avg1          = –
| fivefor1           = –
| tenfor1            = –
| best bowling1      = –
| catches/stumpings1 = 5/–
| column2            = [[One Day International|ODI]]
| matches2           = 196
| runs2              = 5,359
| bat avg2           = 37.47
| 100s/50s2          = 6/30
| top score2         = 119
| deliveries2        = 1,248
| wickets2           = 20
| bowl avg2          = 54.70
| fivefor2           = 0
| tenfor2            = 0
| best bowling2      = 3/3
| catches/stumpings2 = 59/–
| column3            = [[First-class cricket|FC]]
| matches3           = 111
| runs3              = 8,100
| bat avg3           = 54.00
| 100s/50s3          = 20/40
| top score3         = 264
| deliveries3        = 4,703
| wickets3           = 54
| bowl avg3          = 39.62
| fivefor3           = 0
| tenfor3            = 0
| best bowling3      = 4/37
| catches/stumpings3 = 73/–
| column4            = [[List A cricket|LA]]
| matches4           = 291
| runs4              = 8,304
| bat avg4           = 37.91
| 100s/50s4          = 11/48
| top score4         = 119
| deliveries4        = 2,681
| wickets4           = 49
| bowl avg4          = 46.10
| fivefor4           = 0
| tenfor4            = 0
| best bowling4      = 3/3
| catches/stumpings4 = 93/1
| date               = 9 January
| year               = 2018
| source             = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/29632.html ESPNcricinfo
|medaltemplates=<!--MENTION HOST NATIONS FOR TEAM SPORTS-->
{{MedalSport|Men's [[Cricket]]}}
{{MedalCountry|{{IND}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Asia Cup|ACC Asia Cup]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[1995 Asia Cup|1995 United Arab Emirates]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[1997 Asia Cup|1997 Sri Lanka]]|}}
}}

'''Ajaysinhji "Ajay" Jadeja'''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/29632.html |title=Ajay Jadeja, Cricket players |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> ({{audio|Ajay Jadeja.ogg|pronunciation}} born 1 February 1971) is an Indian former professional [[cricket]]er. He was a regular member of the [[Indian cricket team]] in the [[One Day International]] (ODI) format between 1992 and 2000. He played fifteen [[Test cricket|Test matches]] and 196 ODIs for India. He also occasionally captained the India national cricket team. He was part of the Indian squad which won the [[1995 Asia Cup]]. Presently, Jadeja is working with the [[Afghanistan cricket team]] as the team mentor.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cricket World Cup Ajay Jadeja named Afg's team mentor. |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/cricket-world-cup-ajay-jadeja-named-afghanistans-team-mentor-8965292/ |website=www.indianexpress.com|date=2 October 2023 }}</ref>

Due to his alleged involvement in match fixing, the [[Board of Control for Cricket in India]] (BCCI) life banned him from cricket on 3 June 2000; later the BCCI reduced the to five years. On 27 January 2003, a Delhi court lifted the ban. However, Jadeja was not able to play again for Indian cricket team.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Renamed Ajay Jadeja... |url=https://www.mid-day.com/amp/sports/cricket/photo/remember-ajay-jadeja-the-former-indian-cricketer-is-now-enjoying-life-with-family-37663&ved=2ahUKEwi9vPuqttmBAxX5T2wGHRiQDIg4ChAWegQIFBAB&usg=AOvVaw2vmx2OOCpkbDQ2CfhHlTLe |website=www.midday.com}}</ref>

After he quit playing cricket, he worked as coach of the [[Delhi cricket team]] around 2015. In the 2000s he acted in few Bollywood movies, appeared as contestant in dance reality show ''[[Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa]]'' and worked as pundit for [[SET Max]], [[Aaj Tak|AajTak]], [[NDTV India]] etc. various times.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

== Personal life ==
Jadeja was born into an erstwhile [[Nawanagar State|Nawanagar royal family]].<ref>{{cite book |title=The Journal of Indo-judaic Studies, Volumes 1–4 |year=1998 |publisher=Society for Indo-Judaic Studies |page=95 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a9wsAQAAIAAJ&q=ajay+jadeja+royal}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=I am suffering irreparably: Ajay Jadeja Ajay Jadeja studied in the esteemed Sardar Patel Vidyalaya, New Delhi  |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune-times/I-am-suffering-irreparably-Ajay-Jadeja/articleshow/33617885.cms |access-date=25 June 2013 |newspaper=Times of India |date=7 January 2003}}</ref> which has a cricketing pedigree. His relatives include [[K. S. Ranjitsinhji]], after whom the [[Ranji Trophy]] is named, and [[K. S. Duleepsinhji]], for whom the [[Duleep Trophy]] is named. Jadeja's Father [[D. P. Jadeja|Daulatsinhji Jadeja]] was a 3 time Member of Parliament from Jamnagar Loksabha. His mother is a native of [[Alappuzha district|Alappuzha]] in [[Kerala]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/sports/cricket/sanju-samson-replies-to-ajay-jadeja-s-remark-in-malayalam-1.7647524|title='അജയ് ഭായ് നമസ്‌കാരം, സുഖമാണല്ലോ അല്ലേ' ജഡേജയോട് മലയാളത്തില്‍ സഞ്ജു; മറുപടിയും മലയാളത്തില്‍!|work=Mathrubhumi|date=29 June 2022|access-date=30 June 2022|language=ml}}</ref> Jadeja is married to Aditi Jaitly, the daughter of [[Jaya Jaitly]] and the couple have two children, {{proper name|Aiman}} and Ameera.

He began his schooling at the [[Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's Mehta Vidyalaya|Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan, New Delhi.]] He was subsequently sent to a [[Rajkumar College, Rajkot|Rajkumar College]] in [[Rajkot]]. He did not like boarding school, and in a particular year he ran away from there 13 times. He finally settled down at the [[Sardar Patel Vidyalaya|Sardar Patel Vidyalaya, New Delhi]], from where he completed his schooling. He met Aditi Jaitly here. He later went for higher studies to [[Hindu College, Delhi]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=January 12, 2002 |title=Ajay Jadeja: The good, the bad & the ugly. undefined News - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/delhi-times/ajay-jadeja-the-good-the-bad-the-ugly/articleshow/1640571910.cms |access-date=2022-07-01 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref>

In October 2024, Jadeja was declared the next [[Jam Sahib|Jam Saheb]] of [[Nawanagar State|Nawanagar]] (heir to the Jamnagar royal throne), also known as Jamnagar, by the current Jam Saheb of Nawanagar Shatrusalyasinhji Digvijaysinhji Jadeja.<ref name="HT">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=12 October 2024|title=Former cricketer Ajay Jadeja declared heir to Jamnagar royal throne|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ajay-jadeja-declared-heir-to-jamnagar-royal-throne-101728714323622.html|newspaper=Hindustan Times|access-date= 10 January 2025	}}</ref>

== International career ==
Jadeja was a regular in the [[Indian cricket team]] between 1992 and 2000, playing 15 [[Test cricket|Test matches]] and 196 [[One Day International]]s. He was regarded as one of the best fielders in the Indian team in his time. One of his most memorable innings was his cameo in the [[1996 Cricket World Cup]] quarter-final In [[Bengaluru]] against arch rivals [[Pakistani cricket team|Pakistan]] when he scored 45 off 25 balls, including 40 from the final two overs by [[Waqar Younis]]. Jadeja, along with [[Mohammed Azharuddin]], holds the [[List of One Day International cricket records|record for the highest one-day partnership 4th and 5th wicket]], set against [[Zimbabwe cricket team|Zimbabwe]] and [[Sri Lankan cricket team|Sri Lanka]] respectively. Jadeja was also renowned for his remarkable fielding and was considered one of the safest pair of hands in the Indian team during his tenure.

Another memorable occasion of his career was taking 3 wickets for 3 runs in 1 over against England in [[Sharjah (city)|Sharjah]] to win the match for India. Jadeja has captained India in 13 One-day matches. One of favorite hunting grounds was the [[M. Chinnaswamy Stadium|Chinnaswamy Stadium]] in Bangalore, the venue of the quarter-final against Pakistan in the 1996 World Cup. The last time Jadeja played in a One Day International was against Pakistan in the Pepsi Asia Cup on 3 June 2000. He scored 93 in a game that India eventually lost. Jadeja was the top scorer hitting 8 fours and 4 sixes.

==Match-fixing scandal==
Jadeja's cricketing achievements were later overshadowed by a 5-year ban for match-fixing. The ban was later removed by the Delhi High Court on 27 January 2003, making Jadeja eligible to play domestic and international cricket. Jadeja had approached the Delhi High Court on 2 February 2001, challenging the [[Board of Control for Cricket in India|BCCI]] order imposing the five-year ban on the basis of the K. Madhavan Committee recommendations. He was back playing Ranji in 2003.

==After cricket==
In 2015, Jadeja was appointed as the main coach for [[Delhi cricket team]] but he resigned from the post.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Ajay Jadeja quits as Delhi coach |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ranji-trophy-2015-16/content/story/925059.html |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=2015-10-24|date=2 October 2015 }}</ref> He worked as a cricket commentator and pundit for SET Max during number of [[Indian Premier League]] seasons in the [[Extraaa Innings T20|Extra Innings]] show. He has also worked as cricket expert- analyst for news channels such as [[NDTV]], [[Aaj Tak|Aajtak]], Cricbuzz and more.

In September 2023, [[Afghanistan Cricket Board]] appointed Ajay Jadeja as Afghanistan's assistant coach/mentor for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023. Afghanistan went on to win four matches in the tournament, including wins against giants like England and Pakistan as well as a shockingly narrow game against the year's winners, Australia, a stark difference from their winless campaign in 2019. Numerous ex-cricketers have suggested that their newfound victories were largely credited to Jadeja's influence<ref>{{cite web |last1=HT Sports Desk |title=Sachin Tendulkar gives 'Jadeja' twist to Afghanistan's 'outstanding' performance vs Pakistan at World Cup |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/sachin-tendulkar-gives-stunning-ajay-jadeja-twist-to-afghanistan-jaw-dropping-performance-afg-vs-pakistan-odi-world-cup-101698081826902.html |website=Hindustan Times |access-date=27 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=TOI Sports Desk |title=ICC World Cup: Sachin Tendulkar, Shoaib Malik hail Ajay Jadeja as the 'great cricketing mind' helping Afghanistan |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/icc-world-cup/news/icc-world-cup-sachin-tendulkar-shoaib-malik-hail-ajay-jadeja-as-the-great-cricketing-mind-helping-afghanistan/articleshow/104667861.cms?from=mdr |website=Times Of India |date=27 October 2023 |access-date=27 November 2023}}</ref> and the Afghanistan team also expressed gratitude for the impact he had on them. Jadeja also worked as a Batting Coach for [[MI Emirates]] in [[ILT20]] 2023. <ref>{{cite web |title=World Cup 2023: Afghanistan batter thanks former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja for win against England |url=https://www.wionews.com/sports/world-cup-2023-afghanistan-batter-thanks-former-indian-cricketer-for-win-against-england-647888 |website=Wio News |date=17 October 2023 |access-date=27 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=HT Sports Desk |title=Trott credits Ajay Jadeja for Afghanistan's power show in World Cup |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/icc-world-cup/trott-credits-ajay-jadeja-for-afghanistans-power-show-in-world-cup/article67490784.ece |work=The Hindu |date=2 November 2023 |access-date=27 November 2023}}</ref>

==Filmography==
Jadeja acted in the 2003 movie ''[[Khel (2003 film)|Khel]]'' with [[Sunny Deol]] and [[Sunil Shetty]]. He also acted in the 2009 movie, ''[[Pal Pal Dil Ke Ssaat]]'', directed by V.K.Kumar.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/hindi/Pal-Pal-Dil-Ke-Saath/movie-review/4386725.cms |work=The Times of India |title=Pal Pal Dil Ke Saath – The Times of India}}</ref>

Jadeja was a contestant on the celebrity dance show ''[[Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa]]'' in its first season. He has been appeared on the TV show ''[[Comedy Circus]], [[The Great Indian Laughter Challenge]]'' as a guest.<ref>[http://movies.sulekha.com/events/comedy-circus-2009/picture/84.htm Page 84 of Ajay Jadeja, Roshni Chopra on the sets of Comedy Circus, Ajay Jadeja, Roshni Chopra on the sets of Comedy Circus Photos<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

He did a cameo in [[Abhishek Kapoor]]'s film [[Kai Po Che!]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofap.com/cinema/article.php?news=Ajay-Jadejas-Special-Role-in-Kai-Po-Che |title=Rajinikanth ready for action- Timesofap |access-date=2012-10-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219234547/http://timesofap.com/cinema/article.php?news=Ajay-Jadejas-Special-Role-in-Kai-Po-Che |archive-date=19 February 2014 }}</ref> acting as himself in a cricket commentator role.

== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{refbegin}}
* [http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k6/aug/aug244.htm Ajay Jadeja, Sanjeev Kapoor to put on their dancing shoes on Sony]
* [http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1048766 I admire the way Ajay deals with everything: Aditi Jaitly]
* [http://www.cricketnext.com/interviews1/interviews294.htm I’ll keep trying: Ajay Jadeja] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060905222943/http://www.cricketnext.com/interviews1/interviews294.htm |date=5 September 2006 }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071210104829/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2005/11/12/stories/2005111201930400.htm All-rounder, on and off field]
{{refend}}

== External links ==
{{commons}}
* {{ESPNcricinfo|id=29632}}

{{Descendants of Jivansinhji|Ajaysinhji=Ajaysinhji}}
{{India ODI Cricket Captains}}
{{Navboxes
|title=India squads
|bg=mediumblue
|fg=orange
|bordercolor=orange
|list1=
{{India Squad 1992 Cricket World Cup}}
{{India Squad 1995 Asia Cup}}
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{{India Squad 1999 Cricket World Cup}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jadeja, Ajay}}
[[Category:Indian cricketers]]
[[Category:1971 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:India Test cricketers]]
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