'Know Rohit's Expectations, Try To Make An Impact' - Ravindra Jadeja

image-lomuylo8Ravindra Jadeja has been key to India's run (AP Photo)

Ravindra Jadeja put himself in captain Rohit Sharma's shoes after another successful ICC World Cup 2023 outing and said that he recognises his job as India's most experienced allrounder is to "make an impact" in either skill and help ease the task for the rest of pack. 

Jadeja's remarks came in the aftermath of his devastating 5 for 33 in 9 overs in India's eighth consecutive league-stage triumph in Kolkata on Sunday (November 5) against an in-form South African side. The veteran cricketer had earlier contributed a mighty impressive cameo of 29 not out off 15 deliveries in India's daunting 326 on a challenging pitch. 

Having faced extensive scrutiny and criticism in the build-up to the marquee competition, Jadeja only further underlined his influence and great impact value in the tournament, where he is now India's sole allround cricketer in absence of injured Hardik Pandya and carrying higher pressure of sustaining the balance. 

Despite delivering the critical breakthroughs  and providing tight spells - nine wickets at less than 4 an over - apart from chipping in with a priceless 39* against New Zealand earlier in the tournament, Jadeja had slipped under the radar in a star-studded team until forcing himself into the limelight with his most spectacular display of the competition at Eden Gardens.


Jadeja on helping skipper Rohit with impact value 

Speaking to the press following India's muscle-flexing victory by 243 runs after bundling the powerpacked South African line-up for a disastrous 83 all out, Jadeja said he tends to always consider the captain's perspective and focuses on making the best impact in whatever situation he is asked to do a job. 

"I would be very happy [to have myself]," Jadeja said when asked if he would pick himself as captain, before creating laughs by adding, "And you asked me to think like a captain? I have been thinking like the captain from the first match, it's a different matter that I haven't become one." 


"As an allrounder, my role is to make an impact in tough situations. When you need the crucial 30-40 runs. Or when there is a partnership going on and you need a wicket. Change the game. I always try to give an impactful performance, be there whenever the team needs me." 


"And fielding I never take for granted. I still feel I can drop a catch. I am always prepared on the field. I never relax. And that's all: I keep trying to do my best. Sometimes I succeed, sometimes I don't, but I keep trying all the time," he added.