Ravindra Jadeja has been named India’s vice-captain for the ongoing West Indies Test series at home, primarily because Shubman Gill's designated deputy Rishabh Pant is recovering from a fractured foot.
During the series, Jadeja has been seen making field placements when Gill takes a breather. However, the veteran all-rounder denied having any leadership aspirations and he’s always willing to guide the juniors.
“No, sir. I don’t even think about that. That time has gone long back. Now, I just try to help the team as much as I can. If a youngster comes and asks me, like Kuldeep asks about bowling, I give my opinion. Sometimes Jaiswal comes, anyone comes, I tell them what I feel. Where to play based on wicket, conditions, all that. I’m not thinking about captaincy or vice-captaincy at all. I just take what I get and perform,” said Jadeja in a press conference after the second day’s play in Delhi.
Moreover, Jadeja also revealed that he wasn’t surprised by the slow turn offered by the surface at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, during the second Test against the West Indies.
The plan to have rank turners against New Zealand last year had backfired and cost India a place in World Test Championship final, prompting the team management to go for sporting wickets.
"No, I am not surprised because we have only asked for slow turners. We didn't ask for rank turners. This is what we had expected: that once the game progresses, the pitch would start offering turn slowly," Jadeja stated.
"We have to work hard, bowl well throughout the innings, and then only we will be able to get them out. We will continue to do it and hopefully produce good results."
According to Jadeja, batters are finding it easier to play on the back foot due to the slower nature of the pitch and deliveries losing pace off the surface.
"The bounce is on the lower side, and there isn't much turn on offer. You have to use your shoulders a lot since less pace on deliveries enables the batter to easily adjust to the length, and they can go on the back foot and play. So you have to be a bit quicker in the air at times.
"It is not easy, and not every ball is turning, hence there is a bit of hard work on the cards. If we break this current partnership, then it will be easier, because they don't bat deep. Like some other tracks, there is not enough fast turn off the surface," he explained.
Jadeja also played down the heated argument between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill after the former was run-out due to a horrible mix-up.
"That's a misunderstanding which can happen. There is a case of yes no, yes no; the striker felt there was a run, and the non-striker thought otherwise. These things happen, but the good part was that we were in a good position at that time," he remarked.
