I Think It’s A Team Game”: India Coach’s Sharp Retort To Question On Ravindra Jadeja’s Form | Cricket News
The Indian cricket team has triumphed in its first two matches of the T20 World Cup 2024, yet concerns loom as coach Rahul Dravid addresses the underwhelming performance of star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. Despite India’s victories, Jadeja has struggled, failing to take any wickets and being dismissed for a golden duck by Mohammed Amir in the thrilling six-run win over Pakistan in New York on June 9.
Team Dynamics and Challenges
India’s bowling coach, Paras Mhambrey, has expressed confidence in Jadeja’s ability to bounce back. He emphasized Jadeja’s vast experience and potential to win matches for India as the tournament progresses. However, with Axar Patel delivering valuable all-round contributions and Kuldeep Yadav waiting in the wings, Jadeja’s spot in the playing eleven is under scrutiny.
“It’s a team game,” Mhambrey stated. “You can’t expect everyone to be in form every game. It’s a long tournament, and for someone like Jadeja, it just takes one game to get back on track. We trust in his skills and experience, and he will win us games.”
Mhambrey also highlighted the importance of team balance and the role of conditions in selecting the playing eleven. Kuldeep Yadav, despite his form, hasn’t played due to the seam-friendly nature of the New York pitches. The decision to play Axar over Jadeja has been influenced by Axar’s ability to contribute with the bat, adding depth to the team’s lineup.
Strategy and Surface Adaptations
The upcoming match against the USA will be crucial, and the team’s strategy may see further adjustments based on the playing surface and the opposition. Mhambrey mentioned that dropping a seamer to include a spinner depends on the match conditions. Axar’s performance in the IPL has shown his effectiveness, both with the ball and as a lower-order batsman, which was evident in the game against Pakistan.
Mhambrey downplayed the idea that India’s number eight position is fixed based on batting returns, emphasizing that it’s more about the surface and opponents. “If the surface demands an extra bowler, we’ll adjust accordingly,” he explained.
The pitches at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium have improved, offering a more balanced contest between bat and ball. The initial games saw variable bounce, making it challenging for batters, but the bowlers found some assistance, which evens the playing field compared to the high-scoring IPL matches.
Praises for Saurabh Netravalkar
Mhambrey also praised USA’s left-arm fast bowler Saurabh Netravalkar, who once represented India in the 2010 Men’s U19 World Cup and played domestic cricket for Mumbai. Netravalkar’s transition to playing for the USA, while also working for Oracle, has been commendable.
“Extremely happy for him,” Mhambrey said. “It’s not easy to make such a move, but he’s been successful. His journey provides hope for others who may find opportunities outside traditional pathways. Managing a semi-professional career alongside work is challenging, but he’s done exceptionally well.”
As India prepares for their next match, the team remains focused on maintaining their winning streak while addressing individual performances and team dynamics. The coaching staff’s confidence in players like Jadeja and the flexibility in team strategy will be crucial as they aim for the T20 World Cup title.
#TeamIndia #T20WorldCup #CricketNews #RahulDravid #RavindraJadeja