Exclusive: Jadeja Reveals What Virat Said That Left Him in Splits

...and the reason why he shaved that beard!

This picture of Virat and Jadeja has gone viral . (Photo: BCCI)

After the beard had become the cliché-Indian-cricket-team look, Ravindra Jadeja’s ‘refreshing’ avatar became the talk of the town.

While his new look was highly appreciated, it was another photo of Virat Kohli laughing with Jadeja that went viral on social media.

In an exclusive interview to The Quint, Jadeja revealed what Virat and he were actually talking about when that famed picture was clicked!

The picture was taken right before the match with RCB, where Virat started calling me ‘Rajput’. He has nicknamed me that and I feel super proud when he addresses me with that name. Virat and I are like brothers and these fun conversations are a part of our relationship.

Ravindra Jadeja

(Photo: Liju Joseph/The Quint)

But why did Jadeja decide to try the all-new look?

Everyone in the dressing room looked the same, so I thought <i>chalo</i>, I will try something different. Something that is unique. Once Anil Kumble walked up to me when I was sitting with my face down. He thought I was KL Rahul and started speaking in Kannada. Beards have created a lot of confusion in the team.

Besides being world leaders in the sport, Indian cricketers are quite popular for the different looks they try.

We (Virat and Jadeja) often talk about what’s looking good and what’s new and comment on each other whenever we see something different.

(Photo: Liju Joseph/The Quint)

Also Read: Rohit, Jadeja and Hardik Pandya Take the #BreakTheBeard Challenge

After a hectic season with the Indian cricket team, Jadeja was ruled out of Gujarat Lions’ opening games because of issues with his spinning finger. After he returned, with just two wickets in five matches and a poor display with the bat the all-rounder’s performance came under scanner.

Unfortunately, the cricketer doesn’t think the new look could help bring a new Jadeja to the Gujarat Lions dugout.

Definitely not, you can never relate these things to performance. Your strengths and weaknesses do not change if you lose some hair! I am the sort of a bowler who keeps things simple. It is not that in T20 matches I do things differently.<i> Sab time-time ki baat hain</i>. I was bowling the same when I was the No. 1 bowler in the last test series and I am bowling the same today.