Ravindra Jadeja produced a match-winning all-round performance as Rajasthan Royals defeated Lucknow Super Giants by 40 runs, and the veteran all-rounder later reflected on his effort with a mix of clarity, humour, and gratitude.

Named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 43 and impact with the ball, Jadeja began on a heartfelt note. “Yeah, feeling good, you know, getting Man of the Match and winning the team. So, yeah, I'm feeling very good, but before I start, I would like to dedicate this award to the Education Minister of Gujarat because she told me yesterday that you're gonna do wonders tomorrow. So I would like to thank her.”

Jadeja’s knock came at a crucial time when Rajasthan’s top order had once again faltered. He revealed that the conditions were far from easy and required patience. “Yeah, wicket was not that easy because the ball was seaming and swinging. So I thought, let me play as long as I can. And that is what I was talking to Donovan and whoever is coming next about batting. So I was just talking to him that we'll play longer because in T20 cricket, you never know. Last over, as we like, we cashed in, like we got 20 odd runs in the last over. So that is what the thinking behind it is.”

He also explained his approach against Mayank Yadav in the final over, where Rajasthan managed to finish strongly. “Yeah, I think coming from injury, it's not that easy bowling with that pace. But I was just backing my strength, and I was talking to my partner that let's back each other and let's play good cricket shots. Because, as I said, on this wicket, the ball was seaming a lot and the bounce was there. So it's not that easy to play any shot at any given time.”

There was also a lighter moment when Jadeja spoke about his celebration after dismissing Nicholas Pooran. “Yeah, he's in my pocket (chuckles). Nothing, just randomly, a thought came into my mind, and I did it.”

With the ball, Jadeja highlighted how he adjusted to the conditions by varying his pace. “No, because the ball was gripping a little bit. So I was just thinking, should I bowl quicker on this wicket or should I bowl slow? So I thought, okay, I'd bowl a few slow balls. And then I realized that, yeah, if I bowl slow, then I might get a little bit of hold from the wicket. So that is what I was looking to do.”

He also spoke about his specific plans against Mitchell Marsh. “Because the midwicket side and long-in side were a little bit shorter compared to other sides. So I knew that he might play that shot at some stage. So I was just bowling and mixing up with my pace, slow, wide, and full ball also. Today I was looking to bowl slowly.”

Jadeja’s performance proved decisive in a game where Rajasthan’s batting once again struggled for rhythm. His late flourish ensured they reached 159 for 6, and the bowlers, led by Jofra Archer, did the rest as LSG were bowled out for 119.

On a night where Rajasthan needed someone to step up, Jadeja delivered with both bat and ball, underlining his value once again.