Ravindra Jadeja reveals his biggest fear following the Test series against New Zealand

New Delhi: Renowned Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has confessed that he has always harbored a fear of losing a Test series at home throughout his career, a fear that finally materialized last week. Making his debut in the final match of the 2012 series against England — India’s last home series loss — Jadeja reminisced about his rookie days when the thought of such defeats didn't bother him much.

Now, 12 years later, Jadeja stands as one of the team’s senior players, and this series defeat to New Zealand has understandably hit him hard, just as it has affected his teammates and fans alike.

In his debut match in Nagpur, Jadeja showcased his potential by dismissing Jonathan Trott once and Kevin Pietersen twice. However, with the game ending in a draw, England secured a 2-1 series victory.

“Firstly, I had this fear, I had thought that I wouldn’t lose a series in India as long as I was playing. But that too has happened,” Jadeja told the media at the end of the opening day’s play in Mumbai.

“We won 18 series (at home), I thought as long as I am playing Tests in India we won’t lose a series but that has happened, so I am not surprised with anything (that is happening),” Jadeja added.

Since that series loss to England, India had been nearly unbeatable at home, losing only five Tests. Jadeja acknowledged that while this record was a significant achievement, the recent series defeat to New Zealand felt especially impactful due to the high standards India has set for themselves.

“When we win, we lift the trophy together. Now that we have lost the series, all 15 in the team will take the blame collectively,” Jadeja said.

India is now focused on avoiding a whitewash against New Zealand, recalling that the Proteas had previously inflicted a 2-0 series defeat on them at home in 2000 under the captaincy of Sachin Tendulkar.