Ravindra Jadeja backs team management’s decision on excluding senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma on the 2nd ODI of the West Indies tour 2023.
Ravindra Jadeja defends India’s experiment on 2nd ODI
Severe criticism was placed on Indian cricket team management and head coach Rahul Dravid following the defeat in the 2nd ODI against West Indies.
West Indies levelled the 3-match ODI series as they defeated India at Barbados where Indian senior players were sidelined. Shai Hope scored an unbeaten 63 runs out of 80 deliveries while Keacy Carty helped West Indies with 48 runs to complete 182 chase in 36.4 overs.
Shardul Thakur had scalped three wickets and Kuldeep Yadav picked one wicket on India’s hope in the low-scored match. West Indies were impressive in bowling as they folded India for 181 runs.
The Indian openers Shubman Gill and Ishan Khan had a great start by adding 90 runs partnership score for the first wicket. The innings collapsed after the partnership broke.
Despite the loss, Indian coach Rahul Dravid defended the decision of changes in the line-up for the ODI match at Barbados. The exclusion of key players was due to their constant cricket schedule and ensuring their freshness in the 3rd ODI.
While asked about the exclusion of the senior players Ravindra Jadeja said, “We are trying different things and combinations as this is the time that we can try different batting orders.”
In the pre-match interaction, Jadeja said, “This is the only series before the Asia Cup and World Cup that we can do experiments and change the combination. We cannot do many experiments in the World Cup and Asia Cup.”
“It is on management and the captain knows what combination they want to go with, so there is no confusion on this,” he continued.
Indian bowlers weren’t able to defend a low target of 182 against West Indies which provided a 6-wicket victory to the Caribbean in the second ODI in Barbados.
Ishan Kishan was the one to score half Century on behalf of India, but it couldn’t make up for the victory.
“We did not lose because we tried different combinations, sometimes we try something, and the wicket conditions changed from the first half to the second half. One loss will not create confusion or doubt,” Jadeja said.
“I personally want to play as many games and every match teaches you something. But if team would request to see a new player then obviously I will do that. It is a team game,” he further added.
“West Indies are a young team, they are learning, and they are getting better. The more they play, they will get better. They have a good talent. I am sure they will learn from the Indian team. They have a good future,” Jadeja said.
“Every player is working hard, no one is taking things for granted. Whenever they are given an opportunity, they are giving their 100%. These questions raise only when India loses. No one is arrogant,” he concluded.
India is set to play on the 3rd ODI of the West Indies tour at Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba on Tuesday.
