NADA Test: Ravindra Jadeja emerges as most frequently tested cricketer in 2023

Star India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has emerged as the most frequently tested cricketer between January and May this year, according to the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). Data published on the agency's website shows that Jadeja underwent three dope tests during this period.

A total of 55 cricketers, including both male and female players, underwent doping tests in the initial five months of this year. What's noteworthy is that more than half of these tests were conducted 'Out Of Competition' (OOC), suggesting a proactive approach by NADA. This significant shift is likely to result in a higher number of tests performed on cricketers compared to the last two years.

Comparing the statistics, NADA collected 54 and 60 samples from cricketers in 2021 and 2022, respectively. However, in the same period this year, the likes of India's captain Rohit Sharma and renowned batter Virat Kohli remained untested.

Interestingly, another star all-rounder, Hardik Pandya, also underwent one OOC urine test in April. In contrast, during 2021 and 2022, Rohit Sharma was tested with three samples each year, while Kohli remained untouched by NADA's tests.

The increase in doping tests also included a noticeable increase in tests on women cricketers. While in 2022, approximately 20 samples were collected from women players, the first five months of 2023 witnessed only two women cricketers, India's captain Harmanpreet Kaur and stylish left-hand batter, Smriti Mandhana.

Notably, the bulk of these samples were collected during competitions, likely during the Indian Premier League (IPL). Out of the total 58 samples, seven were blood samples, the rest being urine samples. Jadeja's tests were exclusively urine samples while another player, Thangarasu Natarajan, was subjected to two tests in April with one urine and one blood.

Prominent Indian cricketers who underwent doping tests from January to May include Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, and Mohammed Siraj, among others. Foreign players like David Warner, Rashid Khan, and Jofra Archer were also subjected to tests during the IPL season.