The T20 World Cup 2024 has been a roller-coaster ride for the Indian cricket team. One of the most talked-about aspects of this tournament has been the team’s confidence in all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. Aakash Chopra, a former Indian cricketer and now a respected cricket analyst, has voiced his concerns about the team’s dwindling faith in Jadeja.
Is India losing confidence in Ravi Jadeja?
Chopra’s observations stem from Jadeja’s underutilization in the tournament. Despite being a renowned all-rounder, Jadeja has had a silent tournament so far, both with the ball and the bat. In India’s crucial win over the USA, Jadeja did not bowl a single over, nor did he get a chance to bat. This, according to Chopra, is a clear indication of the team management’s lack of confidence in Jadeja.
Chopra points out that not giving Jadeja a chance to bowl, even when other bowlers like Shivam Dube were given an opportunity, highlights a lack of faith in Jadeja’s abilities. This is surprising given Jadeja’s consistent performance with the ball in recent white-ball matches.
“The biggest question is what is being done with Ravindra Jadeja. The captain didn’t get Jaddu to bowl even a single over. Even Shivam Dube was made to bowl, although he proved expensive in that over and it seems like he is not fully ready to bowl at this level,” Chopra said.
The fact that Jadeja was not promoted up the batting order, despite his proven track record as a batsman, further underscores the team’s apparent loss of confidence in him. Jadeja has a career strike rate of 125 with the bat, which makes him a valuable asset in the T20 format.
“However, not giving a single over to Jaddu and later not getting him to bat up the order, the confidence in Jaddu was lost suddenly. The guy needed to score a few runs and take a few wickets in any case because this tournament hasn’t gone well for him, he has a career strike rate of 125 with the bat, and you are slightly surprised if the captain doesn’t get you to bowl also,” Chopra added.
Chopra believes that Jadeja’s underperformance in the tournament could be affecting his confidence. The all-rounder needs to score runs and take wickets to regain his form and prove his worth to the team. However, the lack of opportunities is making it difficult for him to turn things around.
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