Ravindra Jadeja — a Genuine All-Rounder Or a Reluctant Batsman? Perth: If Ravindra Jadeja Were to Pieces All-Rounders
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MUMBAI, sport SUNDAY 08l03l2015 II defendersThe great Let’s back Team India to conquer the world once again CUP TALES HAYDOS VIEW On Virat ‘Right thing about Indian Kohli Even though they (West Indies bowlers) bowled straight at him, when you get the ball into that uncertain zone some six stumps outside off team is Dhoni’s persistence’ stump, he still chases those. But he got away with it on Friday Australian great Matthew Hayden tells Derek Abraham that credit must be given to Indian skipper for backing under-performers like Jadeja and Raina all the way through Four matches, four wins. How do with him for so many years. He is back unless there is an injury con- A word on Kohli’s aggression… A kid watches the SA-Pakistan you look at India’s chances, espe- such a good player, such a talented cern? No, I don’t think so. All India If I were Virat Kohli — and in a lot of game on Saturday —Getty Images cially after the manner in which player, but he continues to struggle need are some little tweaks in their ways I was — I’d say to him that ag- they have turned things around? against the short stuff. The West In- game plans. To me, their personnel gression is great. I want to see that It’s amazing, isn’t it? It’s quite an dies exploited that. remain the same. I know I am going a battle. I want to see that every day of achievement by MS Dhoni and his little hard at them. But that’s because the week. Long may that continue. Raina gets MSD’s players. I think it’s got to do with the Dhoni spoke of Ravindra Jadeja’s I know they can play better. They are All he has to be in control of is that On presence of a lot of calm heads in problems with the short ball. looking pretty good, but they have got ball bowled six stumps outside off backing at No. 5 that dressing room, especially with Even Suresh Raina didn’t look it in them to go further. and whether he is going to leave that Shikhar MS Dhoni feels that a big deal is the media going very hard at their comfortable… Look at Dhawan. His consistency alone or not. The rest is going to take Dhawan made out of Suresh Raina’s position. You can’t keep losing games That’s true what MS said. I like Raina in the latter stage of the tournament care of itself. I like Virat because of susceptibility to short-pitched of cricket, like they did for two-and- and I want to see him do well. Every- is going to be so very important for his technique and the way he plays He has got to fi nd bowling and stressed that the UP a-half months. But now, they have one knows that. There is a natural the side. If he doesn’t fi re, then all his game. It is what it is. It’s brilliant. that combination of lad is the best bet to bat at No.5 won four in a row. I am stistillll not bias there (because of Chennai of a sudden, the other guys will be It’s just the way he plays. I like it. It being able to back since Yuvraj Singh vacated that convinced about India’sndia’s SSuperuper Kings connection). under pressure. He is to India what suits him. It helps the team. off (balls bowled) slot. “It’s the media that makes a bowling attack. Theyhey BuButt he has to fi nd a way David Warner is to the Australian outside that off big deal of this. Batsmen from have bowled admirably,y, (t(to sort out his techni- team. He has got to fi nd that combi- You are great mates with Ravi stump and choose other countries also get out to the the right balls to but as this tourna- ccal problems). He has nation of being able to back off (de- Shastri. How much of an impact short-pitched deliveries but it is play his shots something that is put only on our ment wears on, and to use his talent and liveries bowled) outside that off has he had on this team? head -- he (Raina) is the one who when the pressure is head to play a role stump and choose the right balls to A lot. Ravi is a great asset because On Rohit gets out to the short ball, bowl really on, that’s where he can maxim- play his shots. He has got to fi nd a not only does he know cricket, he short to him. I think he is batting where they are going ise his returns against way to occupy the crease. That’s knows media. And in international Sharma well,” Dhoni said. “Yuvraj Singh to be tested. This tour-- sslower medium pace something he is capable of doing on cricket, you do battle the media as must be the only player who did nament has been drift-ft- bobowlers. And he has to his own terms. much as you battle with the other He consistently gets consistently well for us and then ing on for a month aandnd wweatherea the storm, like A lot of sides, and India are no dif- teams. So he will understand what is out to balls bowled he got promoted to bat at No 4. there hasn’t been too muchmuch wwee all hhave to, when it comes ferent, can’t think of getting 360 all required. And he will put a cricket outside the off Raina is the best that we have got quality cricket on display. The to short-pitched bowling. He gets the time. It’s already got Australia spin on it. He has a great cricket head stump. He has to fi nd a balance between and we need to back him. Because Australia-New Zealand game wasn’t into a rabbit-caught-in-the-headlights into a lot of trouble (against New Zea- and he is a great strategist. trying to play the ball if you don’t back him, the new guy great cricket. Last night (Friday), In- scenario sometimes. But he shouldn’t. land). Too many batsmen are just [email protected] and leave the ball who comes, he will be like, let me dia got the job done but they were He just needs to relax and get going looking to blaze away. That’s not bat for myself and that’s not a shaky against the West Indies. by playing his natural game. smart cricket. And India will have to good habit to grow. We don’t play a lot of it to win the World Cup. want that to happen in our team.” India have bowled out the opposi- Do you think the problem is with tion in each of their four games. his mindset? What are Indians susceptible to? Waqar walks out Do you still believe bowling is The right thing about this side is MS They are susceptible to their own their weak link? Dhoni’s persistence. Had a lot of shot selection outside off stump. of presser Less than three weeks ago, I would these players been playing for Aus- Look at Kohli, for example. If I see Barely an hour after their win over have said yes. But I also think that tralia, for example, they would have one more bowler bowl on his legs, I South Africa, Pakistan were credit is due when it’s due. I thought gone. Look at Shane Watson. He is an think I am going to go nuts. He is embroiled in a controversy with India would have to be set a total like extremely talented cricketer. He has brilliant off his legs. He has got a coach Waqar Younis storming out 380. Such is their batting strength. gone out of the side. I don’t think we strike-rate of 277 off his legs. So what of the press conference. Waqar But it seems like the longer they have would nurse players for so long. I do I see time and time again? lost his cool when a journalist been playing here, the more they think we must give credit to MS for The bowlers give it asked if there was politics have become accustomed to our wick- involved in not playing Sarfraz ets. Yes, they will have to make some Ahmed in earlier games and that adjustments now in New the coach should take the blame Zealand, but they have for it. “There are 15 boys and it’s already qualified (for the best XI who have been the quarters), so they playing. The best XI played today can relax. Actually, their also. There is no politics involved. You are the one giving it a political bowling is now in a position twist,” Waqar said. “Why should I where it’s starting to hit their making his boys feel comfortable. take the blame? After all, Nasir straps. He backs them all the way through. On Suresh Raina Jamshed is also part of the team,” So they have got to reward him with to him on his legs. These he said. An irritated-looking The batsmen didn’t have it easy at good performances. Again, there has guys get paid millions of dol- We saw him get exposed with the Waqar was then asked for his the WACA on Friday… got to be a point where you say ‘OK, lars.