‘Not yet out of the match’, says optimistic Ravindra Jadeja despite India’s late collapse |

Ravindra Jadeja (ANI photo)

NEW DELHI: As India suffered yet another collapse — losing three wickets in 8 balls — this time, during the closing stages of play on the opening day of the third Test, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja admitted that things happened all of a sudden and the team did not have time to react.
The hosts were cruising at 78 for one in reply to New Zealand’s 235 all out but a shock batting display saw them losing three batters in final two overs and end the day at a precarious 86 for four.
The four dismissals of Rohit Sharma (18), Yashasvi Jaiswal (30), Mohammed Siraj (0) and Virat Kohli (4) have now left the team in a difficult spot but Jadeja said that the team is not yet out of the match.
Jadeja also said that it is unfair to blame specific individuals for the brief period of poor performance.
“It all unfolded in a mere 10 minutes, (we) did not get any time to react. But it happens, it is a team game, any individual cannot be blamed specifically… small mistakes keep happening,” Jadeja told the media after end of play.
“But the next batters will have to forge partnerships and try and get past (the score of) 230 (235), only then the second innings will come into play. It will be good if the batters who are lined up to play next make their contributions.”
“We still have a chance. It is not the case that we are out of the match. Hopefully, we would bat well tomorrow and given that there is something happening on the wicket, if we also bowl well, then it will be good,” he added.
With India facing yet another collapse, Jadeja disputed the idea that the repetitive failure of specialist batters has put a lot of pressure on the lower order.
“Pressure is always there. It is not that when the top-order does not perform, the pressure is always there on the lower order. When the top-order does perform, even then there is pressure on the lower-order as to why they are not doing it?” he replied.
Jaiswal was bowled while attempting a reverse slog sweep off Ajaz Patel. The left-arm spinner then trapped nightwatchman Mohammed Siraj leg-before with the very next delivery.
At No 5, Kohli attempted a risky single only to be run out, causing India to suffer another poor session and lose their advantage to New Zealand.
Jadeja acknowledged that India’s poor performances in the first innings across the three Tests against New Zealand have been crucial to their struggles.
“Sometimes, when you are down 0-2, it takes time for you to do anything, or even to bounce back. We have not done enough in the first innings from the first Test and have been behind in the game,” he said.
“Even in Pune, we did not bat well and repeated the same mistakes and have been lagging behind.”
Jadeja admitted that he never imagined losing a Test series at home while he was playing, emphasizing the high expectations set by the Indian team.
“Firstly, I had this fear… personally I had thought that I won’t lose a series in India as long as I am playing. But that too has happened,” he said.
“We won 18 series (at home), I thought as long as I am playing Test cricket in India we won’t lose a series but that has happened, so I am not surprised with anything (that is happening).”
He continued, “We have set the expectations really high. Since last 12 years we did not lose a single series. I think we have lost a total of five Test matches in which I played.”
“I think this is a good achievement but when you set such high expectations and lose a series, it stands out and that is what is happening.”
The seasoned all-rounder admitted that Indian players will collectively shoulder the responsibility for the series loss to New Zealand.
“When we win, we lift the trophy together. Now that we have lost the series, all 15 in the team will take the blame collectively,” he said.
After the defeat in Pune, where Indian spinners were collectively outperformed by their Kiwi counterparts, captain Rohit Sharma had supported Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, pointing out their significant contributions in home Tests.
Jadeja welcomed Rohit’s backing and said, “It is good that the captain’s trust is there, he knows what we have done for the team in last 12 years – be it with our batting or bowling.”
“We have performed for the team, tried to take team out of difficult situations, but sometimes it (losses) happens,” he added.