Ravindra Jadeja : It's not that I consider myself a batsman, I am a batsman

11/28/2016

After his career-best 90 on Day 3 of the 3rd Test, Ravindra Jadeja sarcastically asserted that he is “a batsman” in reply to queries about his sudden show of batsmanship. Jadeja also explained his attacking spurt that saw him eventually get out saying that it was to disrupt England's “boring lines”.

Jadeja led a lower-order assault on the English bowlers that saw India take a 134-run first innings lead in the third Test today. Jadeja was patient in his strokeplay initially before he unleashed some terrific shots in the later part of his innings.

"It's not that I consider myself as a batsman, I am a batsman," Jadeja asserted when asked if he has become more responsible with his batting.

He added, "I have been scoring runs in first-class cricket at an average of 53 (43 as per espncricinfo records), if you leave aside Test matches, that is. It's not the first time that I have made 90 runs. Yes, may be a first in Tests but I have an idea that I can bat. I wasn't in a hurry, since it was a slow wicket with less turn. I knew after 50, 60 or 70 balls, I can up my scoring rate," reported ToI.

Asked to compare his 2014 knock of 68 at Lord's with today's innings, Jadeja said: "I think any good innings that you have played for India is important. Even during this innings, we were in a situation where we were 5 for 150 (156) and from that situation to guide the team to a good position was challenging. Jayant (Yadav), (Ravichandran) Ashwin and myself spoke to each other, build the innings and luckily we are now in a good position considering that they are still 70 behind (56 actually) and are four down."

He also explained his sudden outburst of aggression in the afternoon session. Jadeja slogged a hat-trick of boundaries forcing Chris Woakes to come around the wicket. That also, however, did not help the bowler's cause as Jadeja sent him to the ropes once again.

"I didn't go on an attacking mode just like that. They were bowling boring lines outside off stump. We had lot of time at our disposal so I just thought that let's disturb the bowler by going outside the off-stump. Try and use the area on the leg-side as there were only two fielders there. That's what I was trying and luckily I got four boundaries in that over (of Woakes)," Jadeja said.

Jadeja also said he did not regret missing out on a maiden Test hundred after getting so close.

"The shot that I got out is my pet shot. I can hit six anytime with that shot. I had confidence, but the ball came slow off the wicket and that's why I didn't get the required impact. I am not disappointed that I was out to that shot," he said.

Jadeja also pointed to how the Indian lower order had outperformed the top in the innings and said that it shows India's batting depth.

"Any team will have a plus point if its lower middle order is contributing. If the last 7-11 can give 50 to 100 runs extra for the team it's a bonus. Luckily everyone is contributing, which is a good sign and also an indication that it's not only the top-order that's contributing. We have batting till No 9 and we can score runs. Everything that's happening is for good," the southpaw said.

The all-rounder also enthralled the crowd with his trademark sword celebration after reaching his half-century.

Asked about it, Jadeja replied, "That's a Rajput trademark style, nothing special. It's just that I can't carry a sword into the ground!," reported ToI.

Ravindra Jadeja : It's not that I consider myself a batsman, I am a batsman

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