What happened, happened! IPL was not on my mind: Ravindra Jadeja on making strong comeback after CSK disaster

The rescheduled 5th Test between England and India was crucial for several players from the visitors' camp but none more than all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who was making a comeback after almost two months. Jadeja had sustained an injury during the 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and was ruled out of action for a few weeks.

Not just the injury, IPL 2022 was a disaster for Jadeja for many reasons. In 10 games for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), the 33-year-old averaged just 19 with the bat while picked up just 5 wickets with the ball. His performances were affected due to the burden of leadership. The southpaw was named the new captain of the franchise ahead of IPL 2022 but resigned from the role midway after CSK had won just 2 out of eight games and he handed the captaincy back to MS Dhoni.

After the season, several rumours came that Jadeja may have had a fallout with the management and the franchise and that he may not be retained by CSK next year. But a month later, a fully fit Jadeja made his bat talk in Birmingham and after notching up his maiden overseas Test century said that his focus was purely on performing for India and let the bygones be bygones.

Speaking at the press conference, Jadeja said, "What happened, happened. IPL was not on my mind. Whenever you are playing for India, your entire focus needs to be on the Indian team. It was the same for me, there is no better satisfaction that performing well for India."

Saurashtra lad mentioned that performing outside India was quite satisfactory and was a big thing score a hundred in England. "It feels really good to do it outside India, especially in England. To hit a 100 as a player is a really big thing. I can really take some confidence in myself as a player from this, to score a 100 in England especially in swinging conditions, so yeah it feels really good," he added.

Jadeja's 104 played an important role in India getting to 416 before stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah owned the second day with both bat and ball as England trail by 332 runs.