True cricket followers will understand, says Jadeja on Hardik Pandya run-out
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Ravindra Jadeja has slammed critics, who blamed him for Hardik Pandya’s run-out during the CT final, stating that it was a part and parcel of the game. He also welcomed Zaheer Khan's appointment as Team India's bowling coach stating that the pacer’s presence will be invaluable in overseas tours.
The Saurashtra all-rounder, who is currently on top of the bowling charts in Test cricket, came in for a lot of flak due to his mix-up with Hardik Pandya that led to the latter’s run-out during India's Champions Trophy final match against Pakistan last month. However, the southpaw rubbished the criticism saying that run-outs were a part and parcel of the game.
“True followers of cricket, ones who understand the game, know that such things are a part of cricket,” the 28-year-old said.
“It happens in the game. No one does it intentionally. Everyone wants to play for the country, everyone has their own dreams. Run-outs happen hundreds of times. I don’t think about it too much. Critics can say what they want. They change their views after every series. I don’t play for them,” he said.
Jadeja was also optimistic about the appointment of Zaheer Khan as the team's bowling coach. After Anil Kumble, who had been brought in as coach keeping in mind the development of the spin duo of R Ashwin and Jadeja, stepped down, the BCCI announced the new team on Tuesday. Ravi Shastri was appointed as the new head coach of the Indian cricket team, while Zaheer Khan was appointed as the team’s bowling consultant, and Rahul Dravid was named batting consultant for overseas Test tours.
Although Zaheer does not have any formal coaching experience, he is known to have been a mentor to younger bowlers when he led India’s pace attack in the latter half of his career. After his appointment as the bowling consultant, Jadeja was optimistic that the former India pacer would give a fillip to the team’s pace battery.Â
“Zaheer has a lot of experience. Our fast bowlers will definitely benefit from his presence, especially overseas, where he has so much experience,” the all-rounder said during a promotional event in Mumbai on Wednesday, reported PTI.
“The good thing is that whatever new experience is added to the team, it is good for us. Hopefully, whoever new comes in the team, they will share their experiences and we will get to learn from them.
“Cricket is such a sport that you get to learn something from someone every day. I will also try to learn from their experiences by talking to them,” he added.
India will now travel to Sri Lanka for a full series of three Tests, five One-Day Internationals, and one Twenty20 International against the hosts. Given the spin-friendly conditions of the Emerald Isle, Jadeja will be India’s trump card. But after that, the humongous tour to South Africa means he will not find the same comfort there. But Jadeja is ready for the challenges that lie ahead.
“I like to perform when there are challenges. In cricket when you get easy performances or easy wickets then it’s no fun, but when you have to fight and perform in challenging conditions then that feeling is something else,” he said.
