Rajkot: Ravindra Jadeja stood firmly behind under-fire spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and stated that it’s not the responsibility alone of the Tamil Nadu tweaker to get all the wickets of England.
“We have five bowlers and all five have the same responsibilities and not Ashwin alone,” Jadeja stated here after the match ended Thursday. As it happens sometimes chances go down, it’s all part of the game. Everyone is responsible in equal measures,” he added.
The left-handed all-rounder also pointed out that it was crucial toss to lose. “Everyone knows that the Rajkot pitch helps batsmen in the first two days and then it turns to spin. However, this time it is on the slower side,” informed Jadeja. “There are some footmarks on one side, but overall, the pitch hasn’t changed much, though I can’t say how it will behave in the next three days. But I don’t think it is too difficult to bat on this track,” he added.
While praising the hundred made by Stokes, he also pointed out that the left-hander was dropped twice. “It happens… in the morning he (Stokes) was uncomfortable against Umesh (Yadav). He got two chances and he built on them. Some of his shots also landed in no man’s land. But even then, I would say he played a good knock,” informed Jadeja.
However, England all-rounder Moeen Ali differed in his opinions about the pitch. “This wicket is definitely getting slower, what is important not here that the ball is keeping low. As the game progresses, batting will become more and more difficult,” the bearded player asserted.
Moeen who was batting on 99 assured the mediapersons with a smile that he had slept well Wednesday night. “I slept really well. I knew I had to get only one more run. I was fine,” said the Asian-origin player.
Press Trust of India