Having won a temporary reprieve from the high court in a protracted legal battle with the Board of Control for Cricket in India, Ajay Jadeja returned to the cricket field on Saturday, turning out for Air Sahara in the Lala Hari Ram Memorial day-night tournament in Delhi.
"This means a lot, in fact everything to me. I have been playing cricket right from my childhood and I am very happy to
be back," Jadeja said, as he readied himself to step on to the field.
A high court order, on Wednesday, allowed Jadeja to play domestic cricket, even as the BCC's appeal against the order of a court-appointed arbitrator quashing the five-year ban on the all-rounder is still pending. The ban was
imposed on Jadeja for his alleged involvement in the match-fixing scandal.
This is Jadeja's first competitive outing since the Asia Cup in Dhaka, in 2000.
As he arrived at Delhi's Karnail stadium, hundreds of fans jostled to welcome him back. After satisfying their curiosities with his curt replies, he had a hit with the bat and ran a lap around the ground.
Jadeja himself was a very happy man, despite the fact that it was only a 'local' game.
"It is the lowest grade (of official cricket), but it is better than no cricket at all," he told reporters.
There were also several familiar faces in the stadium. Most noticeable of them was that of Nikhil Chopra, another
cricketer who was accused of match-fixing but later exonerated.
"I am very happy for him because finally he has been cleared of all wrong. He has been a fine cricketer and
should be back playing international cricket soon," Chopra said.
The 32-year-old Jadeja said he hopes to play four or five more years of international cricket if selected to the Indian
team.
"I see myself as a one-day cricketer and 37 (years) is the limit for a fit cricketer," he said.
The all-rounder said he is aware of the long road he has to travel to get back into the national team which is full of
players performing at their best.
"I am not bothered about the slot. I am keeping myself fit and hope things turn around. Playing international
cricket is my first priority... and if I can make it once, I can do it again," he said.
