Once I heard a rumour that I had died: Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja was at his best during Tuesday’s press conference ahead of India’s final group game against Hong Kong in Dubai.

At the beginning of the conference, Jadeja spoke about how he dealt with rumours about his sudden injury during the IPL and the possibility of him not being selected for the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup.

“Once I even heard a rumour that I had died; it can’t be bigger than that,” he responded. “I don’t think too much about it. I just focus on my work, try to play well and perform.”

Jadeja came in at number four against Pakistan and played a sensible knock to take the team home. Talking about his performance, Jadeja said that as an Indian cricketer, he should be ready to play a big knock at any time.

If you play for India, there will be pressure always. You need to play with responsibility sometimes. When you get a chance to bat when the team is in trouble and then you have to win it from there, it’s challenging”

“I was preparing myself mentally for it”.

He mentioned that he was the only left-hander available in the playing eleven against Pakistan and therefore, the team promoted him up the order.

“Definitely, sometimes it happens if a left-arm spinner or legspinner is bowling, it’s easier to have a left-hander,” Jadeja said. “In the top seven I was the only left-hander. I knew there would be such situations, where they have a left-arm spinner and legspinner so I may have to bat up.

“I was preparing myself mentally for it. Luckily, I got the runs, and whatever I did, it was crucial. I can’t say [the same will happen against all teams]. Every opponent has different bowlers, we’ll plan from that point of view.”

Jadeja rued not finishing the game off but expressed satisfaction at having delivered a key performance in a pressure situation. “If you play for India, there will be pressure always,” he said. “You need to play with responsibility sometimes. When you get a chance to bat when the team is in trouble and then you have to win it from there, it’s challenging.

“You can sometimes come to bowl in similar situations. If you perform well in such situations, it gives you satisfaction and confidence as a player.”

Jadeja concluded the conference by telling that he isn’t concentrating on the World Cup now and is just taking one match at a time.