Ravindra Jadeja has done much better than Yuvraj Singh at the same stage of the latter's career

By Sudatta Mukherjee 

They were both born in the same month and share the same zodiac sign; in fact, their birthdays are six days apart. Both can hit the ball long and clean, are handy bowlers and among the best fielders in the game. The similarities between Yuvraj Singh and Ravindra Jadeja are quite striking.

And when one puts their respective careers under the scanner, the similarities between the two southpaws get even more interesting.
 
Yuvraj  won four Man of the Match awards in 2011 World Cup and in all four of them he has been awarded for his all-round show. 
 
Yuvraj Singh’s last four Man of the Match stats
 
 

Opposition	Runs	Wkts
vs Australia 2011	57	2
vs West Indies 2011	113	2
Vs Netherlands 2011	51	2
vs Ireland 2011	50	5

 
 
Jadeja’s Man of the Match award displays, like Yuvraj, have all come for his all-round efforts.
 

Ravindra Jadeja’s last four Man of the Match stats
 
 

Opposition	Runs	Wkts
vs England 2013	61	2
vs England 2011	21	4
vs England 2011	78	2
vs South Africa 2009	22	2

 
 
Is Jadeja better than Yuvraj?
 
Jadeja has played 63 ODI matches and scored 968 runs at an average of 29.33, which is quite good for someone coming at No 7. He also has 66 ODI wickets too his credit, with an economy rate of 4.82. Jadeja has relatively performed better – in terms of batting average and especially as a wicket-taker - Yuvraj when he [Yuvraj] was at the stage of his ODI career as the below table reflects: 
 

After 63 ODI matches
 
 

Players	Mat	Runs	HS	Bat Avg	100	Wkts	Best Bowling	Bowl Avg
Yuvraj Singh	63	1334	98*	27.79	0	22	4 for 6	32.86
Ravindra Jadeja	63	968	78	29.33	0	66	4 for 32	35.25

 
 
*The ongoing 4th India-England ODI at Mohali is not factored in the above stats
 
India is blessed to have two utility men of quality for the overs-limit set-up. Jadeja has the potential to make a much bigger impact, especially as a batsman, if he is given the encouragement by the selectors and the team-management to establish himself in the side.

(Sudatta Mukherjee claims to be a Jill of all trades and mistress of none. She is affable, crazy and a wannabe writer. Her Twitter ID is @blackrosegal. Oh yes! You do know her!)