Captain’s confidence big boost: Jadeja
First Published : 03 Feb 2012, 18:53
Last Modified : 03 Feb 2012, 18:53
Melbourne, Feb 3: Adjudged Man-of-the-Match for his brilliant fielding in India’s first win of the Australia tour, Ravindra Jadeja expressed gratitude towards captain MS Dhoni for showing faith in him at the the post-match presentation and TV interview.
Excerpts:
On playing for India
It’s a pleasure to play for India. It’s a very good achievement for me.
On playing alongside MS Dhoni
Mahi bhai is very good to me. He kept telling me, ‘Just keep believing in yourself. You are a good player.’ I was just trying to play my natural game.
On the win being very special coming after a series of defeats
Yes, it is [very special]. The 0-4 loss in the Test matches is very disappointing but if we keep looking back, it will hurt. Now that we have won the Twenty20 match [with] everyone displaying a positive attitude, we hope to continue with the same attitude in ODIs. If everyone gives their hundred percent, we will be able to do well in the ODIs as well.
On the responsibility of being an all-rounder backed by the captain
It is a positive thing that the captain believes in me and has faith in my abilities. He shows confidence in me and is giving me a chance to play. He’s giving me an opportunity with the bat and the ball. I will try to use the opportunity given to the fullest and try to help the team win with my performance. I will try to give my best effort in all three departments – batting, fielding and bowling.
On the challenge of fielding well on the big MCG stage
Here the outfield and the ground were so big and there were so many Indian supporters here who expected us to win. We will try to play the ODIs with the same energy as today […] We will give our hundred percent [to the game] and try and keep Indian fans all over happy.
On whether it felt like they were playing in Mumbai and not Melbourne
When you see so many Indian fans supporting and cheering you, it boosts the players’ confidence […] It’s a good thing for cricket and players.
On whether their hearts missed a beat when Gautam Gambhir played a few dot balls before hitting the winning run
We were confident that we would win. He was playing on fifty so we knew it would happen; we knew we wouldn’t lose.
