Rivaba Jadeja, the wife of veteran Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and a minister in the Gujarat government, has ignited a major controversy following remarks she made regarding the alleged habits and "vices" of some Indian cricketers during their overseas tours.
The comments, made during a recent public address, quickly went viral, prompting widespread discussion and debate across the cricketing community and on social media platforms.
The Allegations of 'Vices'
Rivaba's speech began with high praise for her husband, Ravindra Jadeja, emphasizing his discipline and commitment despite the temptations of the international cricketing circuit. However, her remarks took a controversial turn when she drew a comparison to other players in the team.
Praise for Jadeja: Rivaba stated that despite her husband having to travel to many international destinations like "London, Dubai, and Australia to play cricket," he has "never touched or engaged in any kind of vice or addiction" because he understands his responsibilities.
Allegation Against Teammates: The controversy stemmed from her subsequent claim, where she alleged that the "rest of the team all indulge in vices, but there is no restriction from their families."
While Rivaba did not name any specific player, she suggested that cricketers may choose to indulge in "whatever they like away from the public eye," implying that their moral conduct suffers when they are on foreign tours away from family scrutiny.
Backlash and Public Debate
The video clip of her comments, originally delivered in Gujarati, quickly spread across social media, where they met with a mixed reaction.
Many users criticized Rivaba for broadly questioning the conduct and professionalism of the entire Indian cricket team dressing room, calling the allegations unsubstantiated and irresponsible given her public position. Others pointed out that players' personal choices, within legal limits, should not be subject to such public scrutiny.
The remarks have thrust the private lives of the nation's cricketers back into the spotlight and raised questions about the public image and moral responsibility expected of international athletes.
Ravindra Jadeja, a key member of the Indian Test and ODI squads, has not yet issued a public statement regarding his wife's comments. The BCCI also remains silent on the matter. The controversy arrives at a time when Jadeja is set to rejoin his first IPL franchise, Rajasthan Royals, for the IPL 2026 season.
