On the eve of the third Test in Rajkot, India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja said England are not a difficult side to beat and the hosts only need to get used to their aggressive style of play to clinch the five-match series.
After the first two Tests, the series is evenly poised at 1-1. While the Three Lions won the series opener in Hyderabad by 28 runs, the hosts bounced back to win the second Test in Vizag by 106 runs.
"I won’t term England as (one of the most difficult) teams. It hasn't been easy for other teams to come to India and win. They have an aggressive style of play. We need to get used to that and plan accordingly for them," said Jadeja in a pre-match presser on Wednesday (February 13).
"If it wasn't for small mistakes in the second innings of first Test, we wouldn't have lost," added the all-rounder, who missed the second Test due to a hamstring injury.
On the injuries he has had to deal with lately, Jadeja admitted that it’s frustrating and he can’t hide himself on the field.
“It is frustrating but the cricket has increased these days and that is at the back of the mind always. I can't hide anywhere in the field, I am always on the hotspot in any format and that maybe the reason (for injuries), and the ball comes to me often.
“There is an expectation from the team that I take a good catch or field well and that's good. I can work on my body more smartly and do it carefully and hope there will be no problem. But there is no guarantee,” he added.
The 35-year-old, who is considered among the fittest cricketers in the Indian team, further said that he will have to make smart adjustments to avoid injuries.
“I would like to give my 100 per cent and save my body and keep away from diving when not required. That's it. I don't think about that too much because it (returning from injury) has happened before.
“As the match progresses, the body will get used to with the flow and then it gets out of your mind that there was an injury. I will get into the rhythm in one or two days.
Ravindra is expecting a sporting pitch for the third Test at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium.
“Here the wicket is flat and hard, but depends on what they have prepared. Sometimes you get 37 wickets in three matches (days), but this wicket looks good.
“Here the wicket behaves differently in every game. Sometimes it stays flat, sometimes it turns, sometimes it plays well for two days and then turns. I believe it will play well first and then slowly it will break and the ball will turn,” he remarked.
(With PTI Inputs)
