IND vs ENG 2016, 1st Test: Ravindra Jadeja Defends R Ashwin 1

Ravindra Jadeja has defended fellow spinner Ravichandran Ashwin after the off-spinner failed to perform as per expectations in the first innings of the series opener against England. Always criticized for his failure to perform on flat pitches, Ashwin did very little to prove the doubters wrong as he conceded 167 runs and took only two wickets. However, Jadeja said that the onus of taking wickets does not fall entirely on Ashwin and every bowler should take to look wickets.

Speaking to the media after the end of day’s play, Jadeja said:“We have five bowlers and all five bowlers have the responsibility and not only Ashwin. As it happens sometimes chances go down, it’s all part of the game. Everyone is responsible in equal measure.”

Praising England batsman Ben Stokes for his century, Jadeja said that the all-rounder was lucky to get reprieved twice.

Jadeja said:“He played very well and played according to merit. Initially, he was struggling against Umesh (Yadav), but after that, he played calmly. Whenever a catch has been dropped, it has often happened a batsman will go on to score a century. Stokes got two chances and then a few fell in no man’s land, but these things are common in cricket.”

The left-arm spinner also said that losing the toss has made the task tougher for the hosts to start the series on a good note. Taking full advantage of a batting paradise, the visitors have scored 537 runs. In reply, India has scored 63 for no loss after the second day but they will have to play very cautiously on the third day as the pitch has started to assist the spinners.

“I think the toss (that India lost) took away the game (from us). Everyone knows that on the first two days the Rajkot wicket suits batsmen and after that, the spinners come into play. That’s all I can say.” Jadeja said.

Commenting on the pitch, he said:“As the game progresses, the pitch  will get slower. From one end, where there are some footmarks,  deliveries can spin. But the middle portion has remained the same. Yesterday and today, the fast bowlers had some help but over the next few days the wicket will become slower.”

Speaking of the team’s plan for the third day, Jadeja said: “We now have to make the runs put on board (by England). Tomorrow is crucial for us we have to play positive cricket. We have to play normal cricket according to the merit of the ball.” 

Here is what Ravindra Jadeja said: