IND vs AUS: "Contribute Better As A Batter" - Gautam Gambhir's Message For Ravindra Jadeja

Former India National Cricket Team opener Gautam Gambhir has said that the premier all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is a good bowler and fielder, but he needs to contribute more with the bat for his team.

Jadeja has been facing a lot of criticism lately for his poor form with the bat in white-ball cricket. In the recently concluded Asia Cup 2023, he registered underwhelming scores of 14, 4, and 7 in the three matches he got the opportunity to bat.

India would be hoping that the all-rounder returns to his best with the bat when they participate in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 at home. Ahead of the World Cup, India will take part in a three-match ODI series against Australia and the squad for the series will be named soon.

Meanwhile, during a discussion on Star Sports, Gambhir said that Jadeja needs to step up and start winning matches for India with his batting performances.

“We know he can bowl 10 overs on any given day on any surface. He is an amazing fielder but he will have to contribute better as a batter at No. 7 because you cannot go in with just six batters,” Gambhir said.

“If Ishan Kishan plays at No. 5, there are question marks there as well. So Ravindra Jadeja will have to win matches with batting because you might have a situation where you need 80 or 90 runs in 10 overs and the No. 6 and No. 7 batters might be playing together.”

Ravindra Jadeja has the ability but it is still debatable against top-quality bowling – Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir also believes that Jadeja’s ability as a batter is still debatable against top-quality bowling attacks. He, meanwhile, added that Jadeja needs to have a good-hitting form heading into the World Cup as it will be extremely crucial from India’s point of view. Gautam Gambhir said:

“Ravindra Jadeja has the ability but it is still debatable against top-quality bowling. The way he has contributed, no doubt he will fit in any playing XI, but India will be happy if Ravindra Jadeja is seen in good hitting form. There is a massive difference between good batting form and good hitting form.

“You can go in and hang in there, you can build a partnership, but if you need 90 runs in the last 10 overs, you should have the ability to score 40 of the 90 runs in that partnership. That was missing somewhere or the other in this tournament (Asia Cup).”

Jadeja has been named in India’s provisional 15-man squad for the World Cup. The other spin-bowling all-rounder in the squad is Axar Patel, who is currently out of action with an injury he sustained during the Asia Cup clash against Bangladesh.