Jadeja asks for permission to spend honeymoon in Lions’ dugout

Ravindra Jadeja, who spent most of his adult cricketing life under the watchful gaze of MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina, is now feeling the pangs of separation. Married in Rajkot to his lady love, Riva Solanki, the southpaw missed his team, Gujarat Lions’ match on Saturday. Even though the Lions didn’t miss Jadeja’s four overs, it was in the dugout that his quiet demeanour was missed.

Thankfully, for both Jadeja and his pride of Lions, Gujarat’s next match is in Rajkot.  An unusually vocal Jadeja couldn’t hide his excitement, “I have never played cricket as a married man before. I am sure marriage will help my performance in the middle. I have already asked my wife and Suresh bhai (Raina) for permission” 

When asked what permission was he implying, Jadeja was somewhat cagey but spilled the beans, “During the IPL, you know, we don’t get time to breathe so celebrating married life toh door ki baat hai (is farfetched) and I have only got married on Sunday so it is not easy this separation. I have to play in the middle and I have to...” Jadeja shyly looked at his feet not adding any more.

It turns out, Lions’ captain, Suresh Raina (also recently married) has agreed to allow Jadeja’s wife into the team dugout. “I know what Jaddu is going through. After marriage, my wife had to return to the Netherlands where she’s holding a job. I had to hold the bat here. It was not easy. Thank god for whatsapp and facebook messenger we stayed in touch through our separation. MS was a big support through this time. PK (Praveen Kumar) abused me a lot when I was feeling down, he helped me become a man with his gaali galoj”

Jadeja has received support from former CSK teammate, DJ Bravo, who was in charge of Jadeja’s sangeet where he taught everyone to dance to the “Champion” song. Bravo also created a special remix where he reworked the lyrics of the song:

RA Jadeja,
RA Jadeja,
RA Jadeja,
RA Jadeja,

Champion, Champion,
Champion, Champion,
Champion, Champion,

Everybody knows.. Say Jadeja a Champion,

Champion, Champion,
Champion, Champion,
Champion, Champion,

Everybody knows Riva is a Champion,
Jadeja, a Champion,

Dhoni, a Champion,

Raina is a Champion,

Ashwin is a Champion,

Baz is a champion

Hussey is Champion,

Faf is a champion,

Don’t forget Srini,

Nehra a champion, Smith a champion,

Badree a Champion,

Ishwar a champion,

Negi a Champion,

Haydos, a champion,

Champion Champion Champion Champion Champion,

Everybody knows say Jadeja a champion,,

Champion Champion Champion Champion Champion Champion,

Everybody knows MS Dhoni is a champion,

Champion we are real Champion,

Champion we are real Champion,

Champion we are real Champion,

Don’t vex if your name not call,

We have to leave time to bat some ball,

We love Garba and Dandiya,

We love cricket and Dandiya,

From ah dancing , ah my name your call,

Champion, Champion,

Every CSK and every Lions’ man,

Champion, Champion,

Every Chennai and Every Rajkot,

Champion, Champion,

Every CSK and every Lions’ man,

Champion Champion

The wedding reception was in keeping with Jadeja’s IPL franchise name, Gujarat Lions: a wedding planner created a “Wild Night” theme, a cinema hall was booked out for a private screening of The Jungle Book. Much to everyone’s amusement, the ushers were dressed as Mowgli in a red loin cloth. It was a vegetarian affair with a juice bar in the shape of a machan serving mocktails with names like “red flower anaar juice”, “Akela banana shake” and “Bagheera’s Black Currant shake”, all inspired by the movie. 

As for the real honeymoon, it’s being planned after the IPL. Jadeja and his wife are planning a trip with Raina and his wife to the Netherlands. Teamwork at its best. 

(However plausible this may sound, this is largely a work of fiction.)