Jadeja returns to competitive cricket

Ajay Jadeja, the former India batsman, played for Haryana in a match against Hyderabad in the Buchi Babu tournament in Chennai fuelling speculation of his return to domestic cricket. Jadeja, in his first competitive outing after a six-year hiatus, scored 37, and put up a 75-run fourth-wicket stand with opener Sunny Singh, to guide Haryana to a 67-run victory.

Anirudh Chaudhary, the Haryana Cricket Association (HCA) secretary, however, insisted that it was too early to comment on Jadeja's immediate future. "I have spoken to some players there and they have said that having Ajay around has been a learning experience for them," Chaudhary said. "Ajay has got a busy schedule, and already has a lot of other commitments. We at present are looking at him to mentor a few extremely talented players through different cricketing situations. As far as him playing for Haryana is concerned, it will depend on the selectors and also on Jadeja's availability."

Jadeja, who made his first class debut for Haryana in 1988, was a prominent member of the Indian team in the 1990s. With 5359 runs, he is India's eighth-highest run-getter in the ODIs and featured in three World Cups. He received a five-year ban in December 2000 for his alleged involvement in match-fixing.

A plea by him seeking permission to play international cricket was dismissed by the Delhi High Court in November 2004, but he went on to play for Delhi a year later.