Not that I consider myself as a batsman, I am a batsman: Ravindra Jadeja

There is no doubt that Ravindra Jadeja is India’s first choice all-rounder in Test cricket. He started off as a batsman. Then he got the tag of an all-rounder. The kind of success he got with his left arm spin, he was soon being labelled as a specialist bowler. Amidst all the success with the ball, his batting seemed to go off the track. Critics often criticised him for underperforming with the bat.

The Saurashtra all-rounder quashed all claims with a brilliant 90 in the Mohali Test. Speaking to the media after the end of day 3, Ravindra Jadeja clarified that he actually is a batsman. Hence a score like this should not surprise people. There is more to follow for sure.

He was asked if he has become more responsible with the bat now. Jadeja clarified that it is not that he thinks he is a batsman but he actually is one. “It’s not that I consider myself as a batsman, I am a batsman,” quoted Ravindra Jadeja. He further cited that although his Test stats might not see the big numbers, but he has been a prolific run-getter in First Class cricket.

“I have been scoring runs in first-class cricket at an average of 53 (43 as per the records), if you leave aside Test matches, that is. It’s not the first time that I have made 90 runs. Yes, may be a first in Tests but I have an idea that I can bat. I wasn’t in a hurry, since it was a slow wicket with less turn. I knew after 50, 60 or 70 balls, I can up my scoring rate,” said the Indian all-rounder.

Earlier in 2014, when India toured England, Jadeja had scored a brilliant 68. When asked to compare that knock to this one, he reflected that every knock for India is important. He pointed out how he had discussions with R Ashwin and Jayant Yadav at the crease which helped India take a handsome lead.

“I think any good innings that you have played for India is important. Even during this innings, we were in a situation where we were 5 for 150 (156) and from that situation to guide the team to a good position was challenging. Jayant (Yadav), (Ravichandran) Ashwin and myself spoke to each other, build the innings and luckily we are now in a good position considering that they are still 70 behind (56 actually) and are four down,” he quoted.

During his knock, Ravindra Jadeja hit 4 fours in an over off the bowling of Chris Woakes. Answering questions about his shift of gears, he remarked that the negative bowling of England enforced that on him.

“I didn’t go on an attacking mode just like that. They were bowling boring lines outside off stump. We had lot of time at our disposal so I just thought that let’s disturb the bowler by going outside the off-stump. Try and use the area on the leg-side as there were only two fielders there. That’s what I was trying and luckily I got four boundaries in that over,” he said.

He further added that he is not at all disappointed with the way he got out. He is in awe of the shot that he played and called it his pet shot. He quoted, “The shot that I got out is my pet shot. I can hit six anytime with that shot. I had confidence, but the ball came slow off the wicket and that’s why I didn’t get the required impact. I am not disappointed that I was out to that shot.”

Commenting on his trademark sword style celebration, the Saurashtra lad had a humorous answer. He conceded, “That’s a Rajput trademark style, nothing special. It’s just that I can’t carry a sword into the ground!”