WI v IND 2023: Ravindra Jadeja hits back at Kapil Dev for ‘arrogance’ remark; says West Indies series ideal for experiments

Kapil's comments criticizing the Indian team were dismissed by Jadeja.

Ravindra Jadeja | BCCI/TwitterLegendary skipper Kapil Dev recently criticized Team India for their underperformance, especially in the ICC tournaments.

After India’s crushing six-wicket defeat at the hands of West Indies in Barbados on July 29, Kapil suggested that the money that came with the Indian Premier League has brought a sense of arrogance in the players.

However, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja dismissed such claims, saying that there's no arrogance in the Indian team.

"Everyone has their own opinion. Ex-players have full right to share their opinion, but I don't think there is any arrogance in this team," Jadeja told reporters ahead of the third ODI against West Indies.

"Everyone is enjoying their cricket and everyone is hard-working. No one has taken anything for granted. They are giving their 100 per cent. Such comments generally come when Indian team loses a match.

"This is a good bunch of boys, this is a good group. We are representing India and that is our main aim. There is no personal agenda," he added.

On a different note, Jadeja said that the combination for the upcoming Asia Cup, commencing August 30, has been finalized even though there were some experimental changes in the second ODI against West Indies.

Indian team management decided to rest Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the second ODI to test the bench strength. However, the move backfired badly as the Men in Blue got bowled out for a paltry 181 in 40.5 overs.

"This is the series before the Asia Cup and World Cup, where we can experiment, we can try out new combinations. It will give us an idea about the team's balance, strengths and weaknesses," Jadeja stated.

"Captain and team management know what combination they are going to play. There is no confusion at all. We have already decided what is going to be the combination in the Asia Cup...But it's more about trying out a particular player or batter at a batting position."

Commenting on India’s defeat in the second ODI, Jadeja said, "We were not disheartened by the loss. Our experiments didn't cause the defeat. Sometimes, external factors, like conditions, also play a significant role."

"We are trying different combinations. We can try different batters at different positions. This is the series where we can afford to chop and change. Young players also need that international experience, they also need game-time," he further remarked.

(With agency inputs)

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 01 Aug, 2023

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