Delhi’s Young ‘Jadeja’ Rounak Waghela Gears Up to Face His Idol in Rajkot

Seventeen-year-old Rounak Waghela, a rising left-arm spinner from Delhi, is a self-proclaimed “massive fan” of Ravindra Jadeja. As fate would have it, he now has a chance to meet his idol in Rajkot, where Delhi faces Saurashtra in the Ranji Trophy. Whether he makes the playing XI remains uncertain, but the excitement is evident in his voice.

“I want to talk to him, click a selfie, but I don’t know how to start a conversation. He is such a big cricketer. Maybe after the match, while shaking his hand, I’ll get the chance,” Rounak told The Indian Express from Rajkot.

Rounak’s journey to the Delhi Ranji squad has been propelled by his stellar performances in the Col CK Nayudu Trophy (31 wickets in five matches) and the Men’s U-23 State A Trophy (22 wickets in seven games). His accuracy in bowling and sharp fielding have earned him the nickname ‘Jadeja’ among his teammates.

“It feels great to be compared to him, but Jadeja is a class apart. To reach his level, I will have to work extremely hard. If I get the chance, I’ll ask him for tips on bowling and fielding—he’s like a cheetah on the field,” Rounak said.

For the young cricketer, making it to the Ranji squad is a significant step. “It’s a massive opportunity. I will get to bowl to Rishabh bhaiya in the nets, and if lucky, to Cheteshwar Pujara and Ravindra Jadeja in the match,” he added.

A Coach’s Vision and a Family’s Sacrifices

Rounak trains at the Venkateshwar Cricket Academy in Dwarka under coach Devdutt Baghel, who has mentored him since he was seven. Initially a medium pacer, Baghel advised him to switch to left-arm spin after three years.

“Once he started bowling left-arm spin, academy boys started calling him ‘Jadeja’ or ‘Jaddu,’ and the name stuck. Like most Delhi boys, he was initially a Virat Kohli fan, but slowly, Jadeja took over. He wants to be an exceptional fielder like him. He bats at No. 7 or 8, and though he did well at the U-16 level, senior cricket is different. He has worked hard on his batting too,” Baghel said.

Rounak also played a crucial role in East Delhi Riders’ victory in the inaugural Delhi Premier League, where he bowled the final over in the championship match.

His father, Deva Ram, runs a small academic coaching center at their home in JJ Colony, Raghubir Nagar, in West Delhi. A mathematics teacher by profession, he credits Rounak’s success to Baghel.

“I have no contribution to his cricket. I took Rounak and my nephew, Kush, to the academy without much thought. Baghel sir took them under his wing, picking them up from home and dropping them back after training—without charging a single penny,” said Deva Ram.

Though Rounak has grown up in Delhi, his roots trace back to Ahmedabad, where his father worked for 30 years before retiring and moving to the capital.

A Gesture of Gratitude

Baghel, who supported Rounak’s cricketing journey selflessly, was deeply moved when Rounak and his father presented him with a cheque of ₹1,25,000 for the academy. This money came from Rounak’s earnings after playing in BCCI’s U-16 tournament.

“It was the best moment of my coaching career,” Baghel said. “I initially refused to take it, but Rounak insisted, saying it was for the academy and young cricketers from humble backgrounds.”

As Rounak prepares for a possible dream encounter with Jadeja, his journey so far is a testament to perseverance, mentorship, and unwavering family support.