Ravindra Jadeja is one of the most valuable players in the Indian cricket team, who can contribute with both bat and ball, as well as in the field. He is a left-handed batsman, a left-arm orthodox spinner, and a brilliant fielder. He has played for India in all three formats of the game, and has been a part of many memorable victories. He is also a key player for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he has won four titles.

However, there is one thing that Jadeja does not like about his fame and popularity. He does not like being called “Sir Jadeja”, a nickname that has stuck with him for almost a decade. While many fans use this nickname as a sign of respect and admiration, Jadeja finds it annoying and disrespectful. He prefers his actual name or to be called “Bapu”, a Gujarati term of endearment.

In this article, we will explore the origin of the “Sir” nickname, how it spread among the cricketing fraternity and the public, and why Jadeja now prefers not to be called Sir. We will also look at some of the hilarious memes and jokes that have been made using this nickname.

Origin of the “Sir” Nickname

The origin of the “Sir” nickname can be traced back to a tweet by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the former captain of the Indian cricket team and the CSK. On April 9, 2013, after CSK defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in a thrilling IPL match, Dhoni tweeted:

When you give Sir Ravindra Jadeja one ball to get 2 runs he will win it with one ball to spare !!

The tweet was meant as a joke, as Jadeja had scored the winning runs off the last ball of the match, after RCB had scored 165 runs in 20 overs. Dhoni was poking fun at Jadeja’s reputation of being a slow and unreliable batsman, who often struggled to finish games. Dhoni had also called Jadeja “Sir” in a press conference before the match, when he was asked about his role in the team.

The tweet went viral, and soon, the nickname “Sir Jadeja” caught on. Fans started using it to mock or praise Jadeja, depending on his performance. Some fans even created a parody Twitter account called “@SirJadeja”, which posted humorous tweets about Jadeja and other cricketers. The account gained over a million followers, and became one of the most popular parody accounts on Twitter.

How the Nickname Spread

The nickname “Sir Jadeja” spread from a joke to an endearing term, as Jadeja improved his batting and bowling skills, and became a more consistent and reliable player. He started scoring more runs, taking more wickets, and making more catches and run-outs. He became a vital part of the Indian team, especially in the limited-overs formats. He also became a fan favorite for the CSK, where he formed a formidable partnership with Dhoni.

The nickname grew massively in popularity during Jadeja’s success with CSK in the IPL. He played a crucial role in CSK’s title wins in 2013, 2018, and 2021, and was one of the most consistent performers for the team. He also won the Most Valuable Player award in 2013, and the Game Changer of the Season award in 2021. He earned the respect and admiration of his teammates, opponents, and fans, who started calling him “Sir Jadeja” as a sign of appreciation and affection.

Even other cricketers started addressing him as “Sir Jadeja”, either in jest or in earnest. For example, Harbhajan Singh, the veteran off-spinner, once tweeted:

Well done @imjadeja…u r the real rockstar…sir jadeja…love u buddy

Similarly, Shane Watson, the former Australian all-rounder, who played with Jadeja for CSK, once said in an interview:

I call him Sir Jadeja because he is an absolute superstar.

Jadeja’s Dislike for the Nickname

Despite the widespread use of the nickname “Sir Jadeja”, Jadeja himself does not like it. He has expressed his dislike for the nickname on several occasions, and has requested his fans and friends to stop calling him that. He has said that he finds the nickname annoying and disrespectful, and that he prefers his actual name or to be called “Bapu”.

In an interview with The Times of India in 2013, Jadeja said:

I hate being called Sir Jadeja. I don’t know why people have started calling me that. I don’t like it at all. I don’t know where it started from, but I don’t like it. I prefer being called Ravindra Jadeja, or just Jaddu.

In another interview with The Indian Express in 2019, Jadeja said:

I don’t like being called Sir. I don’t like it at all. I don’t know who started it, but it has become very popular. People think it is funny, but I don’t find it funny. I am not a Sir, I am just a normal person. I prefer being called Bapu, that is what my friends and family call me.

One of the possible reasons why Jadeja dislikes the nickname “Sir” is that he feels it is a mockery of his humble background and hard work. Jadeja comes from a poor family in Jamnagar, Gujarat, where his father was a security guard and his mother was a nurse. He had to overcome many hardships and challenges to become a successful cricketer. He may feel that the nickname “Sir” is a sarcastic and condescending way of addressing him, and that it does not reflect his true identity and personality.

Another possible reason why Jadeja dislikes the nickname “Sir” is that he feels it is too formal and distant, and that it does not convey the warmth and friendship that he shares with his fans and teammates. Jadeja is a friendly and fun-loving person, who likes to joke and laugh with his colleagues and supporters. He may feel that the nickname “Sir” is too stiff and cold, and that it creates a barrier between him and his well-wishers. He may prefer a more casual and affectionate nickname, like “Bapu”, which means “father” or “elder” in Gujarati.

Conclusion

The nickname “Sir Jadeja” is one of the most famous and popular nicknames in Indian cricket, which has been used by fans, media, and cricketers for almost a decade. It originated as a joke by MS Dhoni in 2013, after a CSK match, and quickly caught on. It spread from a joke to an endearing term, as Jadeja improved his performance and became a more valuable player. It grew massively in popularity during his success with CSK in the IPL, and even other cricketers started calling him “Sir Jadeja”.

However, Jadeja himself does not like the nickname “Sir”, and has expressed his dislike for it on several occasions. He prefers his actual name or to be called “Bapu”. He may dislike the nickname “Sir” because he feels it is a mockery of his humble background and hard work, or because he feels it is too formal and distant, and does not convey the warmth and friendship that he shares with his fans and teammates.

The nickname “Sir Jadeja” is an interesting story behind one of the most talented and versatile players in Indian cricket, who has won the hearts of millions of fans with his skills and spirit. Whether you call him “Sir”, “Bapu”, or “Jaddu”, he is undoubtedly one of the best all-rounders in the world, and a true legend of the game.