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India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja feels Test captaincy isn’t that challenging as compared to that of T20 Internationals (T20I) and the Indian Premier League (IPL) teams. Jadeja, who got the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captaincy mantle in 2022, looked ineffective as he could guide the side to only one win in eight outings. However, after three years of that bitter experience, the veteran has said that Test captaincy is easier as the skipper doesn’t have to deal with things such as batting shuffle and frequent field changes. The 36-year-old responded to his former Team India teammate Ravichandran Ashwin’s question regarding the leadership aspirations.
The conversation took place in ex-India spinner Ashwin’s chat show, where the 38-year-old asked Jadeja whether the latter has leadership aspirations. Replying to the query, Jadeja said, “Yes, kyonki humesha mujhe aisa lagta hai ki, itne saal se main itne captains ke saath khela hu to sabka mujhe pata hai ki sab hi individual captain ka mindset kya hai. Toh har ek captain ka team chalane ka tareeka alag hota. Jaise Mahi Bhai hai, itne saal se main unke neeche har ek format mein khela hu toh woh unki bhi thinking bohot simple rehti hai ki jahan batsman chahta hai ki udhar woh maar sakta hai, toh udhar woh fielder rakh dete hai, simple.”
He also added, “Test format alag hai captaincy ke liye aur itna simple rehta hai ki kab bowler ache rhythm mein hai kab ache rhythm mein nahi hai, kab usko change karna hai, kab usko wapis laana hai. Naye batsman against apne go-to bowler kaun hai kab usko wapis laana hai. Usko kab kitna break dena hai, yeh sab thoda calculative hai but mere khayal se itna woh nahi hai jitna IPL aur T20 format mein karna hota hai.”
Ravindra Jadeja’s vast experience in England could come handy for India
As Team India are gearing up to take on England in the upcoming five-match Test series, Ravindra Jadeja’s role will be crucial as he will be expected to bolster the side in all departments of the game. The left-handed player is the most experienced in the squad and he has played an ample number of Tests in the English country.
Back in 2021-22, when India levelled the four-match series in England by 2-2, he claimed only six wickets in nine innings of five matches. However, as a batter, he looked superb as he racked up 287 runs in nine innings. This time, he will look to justify his role to help his side beat the English team in their backyard after 18 years.
