India head coach Paras Mhambrey has back struggling all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja to come good as India looks to take on USA in their next Group A match of the T20 World Cup 2024 on Wednesday, June 12.
He is yet to pick up a wicket in the tournament, having rolled his arms over for 3 overs against Ireland and Pakistan. Moreover, he bagged a golden duck against Pakistan after Mohammad Amir accounted for his wicket.
Mhambrey believes that meetings with head coach Rahul Dravid and batting coach Vikram Rathour will help Jadeja regain his form. Mhambrey discussed Jadeja before India's Group A match against the United States on Wednesday.
“I think it's a team game, right? It's going to be 11 guys. You really don't expect all of them coming into form. It's going to be performed every game that will happen. For me, I personally feel whatever conversations Rahul and Vicky are having around, I've been pretty happy with it. And you expect a one-odd game out there. But it's a long tournament,” Mhambrey said in the pre-match press conference.
Mhambrey stated that Jadeja has the experience and talent to make a good comeback. The coach also expressed his support for Shivam Dube, who has experienced criticism for failing to meet expectations, particularly in the match against Pakistan in New York, where he lost a straightforward catch and struggled with the bat.
“I think one just someone like Jadeja, who's so vastly experienced, he just needs a game out there to just get his root around and feel around. And we know that with the skills that he has and the experience, he's going to go ahead and he's going to win your games. So that confidence we have in not only Jadeja but honestly with someone like Dube and others as well,” he said.
“You can have one odd game and people will have conversations saying you are given a game, and you're going to have one bad game. That's fine, but the team will back you. And that's what is important in a tournament like this,” Mhambrey added.
India are at the top of Group A with 4 points and a net run rate of +1.455 thanks to wins in both their matches. If they defeat the USA on Wednesday, India will join South Africa and Australia to make their way through to the Super 8s stage.
