Team India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has defended coach Rahul Dravid’s decision to rest senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the second ODI, where India lost by six wickets.
“This is the series before Asia Cup and World Cup, where we can experiment, we can try out new combinations. Once we will go to play Asia Cup and World Cup, we won’t be able to do experiment anything. It’s a good thing that we will get the idea about what is team’s balance, strengths and weaknesses,” he told reporters ahead of the series decider.
Jadeja said the loss in the second ODI has nor deter team’s morale as they are confident of bounding back in style.
“We were not disappointed with the loss. We are trying different combinations. We can try different batsman at different positon. This is the series where we can afford to chop and change. We are not worried about one loss, we are trying to get best out of our players,” he said.
Jadeja also revealed that team management in their mind knows what the playing XI is going to be.
“Captain and team management knows what combination they are going to play. There is no confusion at all. We didn’t lost the match becasue of the experiments, sometimes the condition also matters. In my opnion, one loss is not going to create any confusion or doubt. We have already decided what is going to be the combination in the Asia Cup,” said Jadeja.
Jadeja also said that he is ready to sit outside if team management wants to give youngster a chance.
“I want to play all the game. The more I will play the better I will become but team’s requirement is something else. But if team will ask me to sit out, I will do it. Young players also need that international experience, they also need a game time,” he said.
India have not lost an ODI series against West Indies since 2006 and the all-rounder is confident that they will keep that record intact.
“We are very confident. We lost the second ODI, but it’s okay. It can happen. We are definitely going to play our best cricket,” he said.
Jadeja also praises the young West Indies team and said this group has a great future.
“I think they are a very young team. They are learning they are getting better. The more they play, they will get better. I think, they have a very good young team and good talented side. I am sure they will learn from the Indian team. All the senior players are playing here, they will learn something. They have a good future,” he said.
Jadeja also shared his thoughts on West Indies left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican for who he has turned out to be a mentor in the tour.
“Jaddu the bowling coach and Jaddu the mentor can wait. Warrican asked me where he can improve in his bowling. I told him a few things that I had worked on my bowling. In cricket if you share your experience, and help any player, there is nothing like that. I hope he gets better with my tips,” he said.
On his own purple patch, the all-rounder said he would love to do well in the Asia Cup and World Cup.
“To perform in a major tournament is every player’s dream. I need to keep working hard, I will try to improve the areas where I can work. I need to play with the responsibility the team have given me,” he said.
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