Ravindra Jadeja has dedicated the first victory of the Chennai Super Kings team under his captaincy in the ongoing IPL (Indian Premier League) to his wife Rivaba. And she’s over the moon!
Speaking exclusively to Deccan Chronicle over telephone from Rajkot on Wednesday afternoon, she said, “I never imagined he would dedicate the win to me. I am indeed overwhelmed.”
“It's my first victory as captain, I dedicate it to my wife because the first victory is always special,” Jadeja had said at the presentation.
Jadeja could not contribute with the bat in the match against Royal Challengers Bangalore — he was out on the very first ball he faced — but Rivaba was unconcerned. “I have absolutely no regrets about this. Ravi, as I call him, tried his best to hit a sixer but did not succeed. This happens in the game and one should not think too much about it,” she said.
“Apart from his captaincy, my husband’s overall performance can’t be ignored. His bowling was good (he took three wickets), fielding was good as usual. Can’t cry over his batting,” she stressed, adding, “I am proud of him and wish him more and more success in future.”
Rivaba declined to comment on the possibility of Jadeja leading Team India in the future. “It is too early to say,” she said. “Let him enjoy the game as a captain in the IPL and a player in the Indian team.”
Known as Riva Solanki prior to her marriage in 2016, Rivaba is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering and is politically connected. Unlike the wives of a few other players, she is not in Mumbai with her husband at this juncture. “I am very busy with several social projects, she said, adding, “I have to look after my 3-year-old daughter (Nidhyana) and hardly get time to travel on tours.”
