WI vs IND 2019: Ravindra Jadeja Thanks Virat Kohli for Showing Confidence in Him

India is currently playing the first Test of the two-Test series against West Indies in Antigua. Ravindra Jadeja scored a well-made 58 to help India put up a decent total of 297 in the first innings on Sunday. Despite losing Rishabh Pant very early, Jadeja built a partnership with the tailenders.

“When I was batting out there in the middle, I just looked to build a partnership. I was focussing to play with the tailenders. I was just worried about my game, I was trying to give my best out on the park,” Jadeja said the reporters. “I was constantly talking to Ishant, and we talked about staying out in the middle for as long as possible. We were thinking about one over at a time.”

“I am just very positive in my mind, my shot selection is positive. When Rishabh got out, I was talking to Ishant about staying out in the middle and building a partnership. It is not good for opponents if the lower order is constantly scoring runs, so it was the gameplan from our side,” he said.

However, many eyebrows were raised when Ravindra Jadeja was selected in the playing XI ahead of off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and he said he was happy to repay the faith team management and Virat Kohli showed in him.

“Obviously you feel good when the skipper believes in you, thinks of you as the main player. Luckily, I have been able to repay the faith by performing well.”

Jadeja also praised Ishant Sharma’s performance.

“Ishant bowled well. The two caught and bowled were remarkable, and I believe those two dismissals were the turning point,” Jadeja said. “On this wicket, you have to bowl in the right areas. Ishant’s rhythm improved by each over he bowled. If he did not hold on to two return catches, the situation might have been different. Those two dismissals helped us in turning the momentum into our side.”

He further shared the condition of the pitch. “The wicket has bounce and the ball was also moving around. As the game has progressed, the wicket has settled down, but the bounce is still there and it is helping the fast bowlers.”

It will be interesting to see who will have the last laugh.