JOIN OUR WHATSAPP CHANNEL
India vs West Indies: Ravindra Jadeja speaks on repaying Virat Kohli's faith, praises Ishant's performance
Jadeja repaid the captain and team management’s faith with a fine half-century and a wicket on Day 2 of the first Test .
India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja justified his selection in the playing XI for the first test against West Indies in Antigua by slamming a half-century to help his side post a fighting total on the scoreboard. The all-rounder was selected ahead of front line spinner Ravichandran Ashwin which not only raised a lot of eyebrows but also receoved criticism. Former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar too was left stumped and termed the decision ‘astonishing’.
Jadeja silenced his critics on Day 2 with a matured 58 run knock to take his team total to 297 after India were struggling at 189/6. He also rolled his arm and picked up a wicket to finish the day on a high.
Speaking about his effort on Friday, Jadeja said: "When I was batting out there in the middle, I just looked to build a partnership. I was focussing to play with the tailenders. I was just worried about my game, I was trying to give my best out on the park."
During the gritty knock, Jadeja received a good support Ishant Sharma as the duo put on a 60-run partnership. "I just looked to build a partnership. I was constantly talking to Ishant, and we talked about staying out in the middle for as long as possible. We were thinking about one over at a time," the all-rounder said.
"I am just very positive in my mind, my shot selection is positive. When Rishabh got out, I was talking to Ishant about staying out in the middle and building a partnership. It is not good for opponents if the lower order is constantly scoring runs, so it was the gameplan from our side," he added.
Jadeja also felt that he has repaid the faith shown in him by skipper Kohli. "Obviously you feel good when the skipper believes in you, thinks of you as the main player. Luckily, I have been able to repay the faith by performing well," he said.
After a scratchy batting performance, India bowlers did a tremendous job with the ball as they ripped through the West Indies batting lineup. Pacer Ishant Sharma led from the front picking up 5 wickets for just 42 runs.
Praising his teammate's performance Jadeja said "Ishant bowled well. The two caught and bowled were remarkable, and I believe those two dismissals as the turning point. On this wicket, you have to bowl in the right areas. Ishant's rhythm improved by each over he bowled. If he did not hold on to two return catches, the situation might have been different. Those two dismissals helped us in turning the momentum into our side,".
