Banned by the Board of Control for Cricket in India from all levels of the game three years ago and now given a relief through a High Court verdict, the former India captain will make his return to official cricket with the Delhi team in the Ranji Trophy opening match against Uttar Pradesh at Kanpur from November 7-10.
There was the familiar spring in his run up and his mood was jubilant, cracking jokes at the expense of his teammates. It was clear that the forced lay-off has only whetted his appetite for the game.
"Like any cricketer, I want to play at the top level (again). But I have never set any target for myself," Jadeja said at the team's concluding practice session of the month-long camp.
"I just want to enjoy every moment on the field, and off it as well. I think if I keep myself fit I can play another four years," he said.
Jadeja, his spirit upbeat, admitted performing in domestic cricket after such a long gap would not be easy.
"I have played at the highest level so I don't think I have to prove my ability. But there is no denying the fact that I am short on match practice," Jadeja said.
"So, it is going to be tough, not going to be easy even if it is against a state team. My first task therefore would be to hold my own place with consistent performance."
But being a senior player, Jadeja would also have the responsibility of guiding the youngsters in the team.
Jadeja said he was not bothered by newspaper reports that some of the players in the team did not take his return well.
"It is very easy for somebody to write like that. As far as I know I have the support of the captain, coach and the whole team.
"So why should I worry about some journalist who has achieved nothing in his life writing about a player who has more than 200 one-day international under him," he retorted.
