Ravindra Jadeja feels Indian team needs to win in West Indies to change fans' perception
Ravindra Jadeja along with many of his teammates feel that victories at home count for something only if the team starts winning overseas, so this is what the team is set out to do in the Four-Test series against the Windies.
Jadeja said: “Nowadays, all people care about is how much you have won overseas in Tests and ODIs. So our focus is on that and we want to win here in the West Indies," Jadeja, who made a case for his selection with figures of 3/16, said at post-match press conference.”
He further added: “Everyone says that we win easily in India, so we want to change that thinking. We are a young side and each one of us is eager to win in overseas conditions. Fitness and energy are good in this side and the preparation has been good as well. We are looking forward to winning this Test series in the West Indies.”
Jadeja said that it feels great to play a longer format after a long time. The Southpaw also feels that he needs to up his fitness levels for bowling so that he can bowl about 15-20 overs a day.
“Mentally, we have to be prepared about hot and humid conditions here. But they are similar to the ones we experience when playing in the Indian summer. So our focus is on thinking about match situations and match conditions, for example when there are long partnerships.”
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He further added: “We have bowled as a unit today and we haven't given away too many runs, which has been our main focus. As a bowling attack, our aim is to bowl three consecutive maiden overs and put pressure on the batsmen”
Jaddu as his teammates call him also feels that his partnership with Ravichandran Ashwin and Amit Mishra is coming up well and says that it could be the beginning of a highly successful spin trio.
To explain that, he said: “All of us have different styles and different bowling speeds. I am a left-arm spinner, Ashwin has off-breaks and Mishra has his leg spin. So that's a very good thing. Our variations are quite potent and it is not easy for the batsmen to judge three different spinners at the same time and play in three different ways.”
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The former Chennai Superkings bowler also spoke on the impact that new coach Anil Kumble has had on the team, with this Test series being his first ‘test’. The all-rounder spoke about the things that Kumble told him to work on, like his strengths. They spoke about his bowling in conditions like the ones found in West Indies. He was also told that the wickets might not be that easy to pick up, so he needs to keep his body language in check.
He also said: “It is important to look more energetic and be ready to bowl 12-15 overs. I have done that in Ranji Trophy and I am used to bowling longer spells, and I am looking to do the same thing here as well”
Jadeja signed off by saying: “It is very important that he is with us. He has been a legend for Indian cricket and he has done well in both formats. So all we want to do is talk to him about his experience and learn from him.”