India defeated Australia by an innings and 132 runs in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, While India bowled a whopping 400 in the first innings, Australia couldn’t even come close in two innings. Ravindra Jadeja, who was performing with both a bat and a ball, was asked about the “pitching chat” that occurs before the first pitch is delivered in a game.
The all-rounder had an amazing retort to critics who concentrated solely on “the court” rather than standing out from the throng.
Jadeja made a humorous dig at Australians, suggesting that when they fly to India, they would notice rough areas on the ticket gates.
Jadeja stated on Star Sports following the match’s conclusion. “Unko flight se hi rough patches dikh rahe the (They had probably spotted the rough from the flight itself). The atmosphere they created that it would spin; it didn’t spin that much. If we see, they got out more to straight balls. We also got out lbw on straight balls,”
Jadeja also justified India’s preference for spinners in home Tests. The all-rounder concedes that spin bowling is the team’s strength, therefore pitches may be tailored accordingly.
Jadeja said “This is bound to happen in India because we will obviously play to our team’s strength. Our fast bowlers are also good, but spinners win more matches in India and pick up wickets, so why shouldn’t we go with our strength,”
Make it clear that the Indian squad will not begrudgingly prepare their green tops for abroad trips. As a result, when Australians visit the Asian subcontinent and witness the construction of a revolving runway, they must remain silent.
“When we go to Australia, they put 18-20 mm grass. We don’t talk about the pitch then, hence they shouldn’t say such things when they come to India,” The Veteran Jadeja opined.
“Can’t think of many who have been given so many chances” – Venkatesh Prasad
