IND vs ENG: It's Nice James Anderson Has Realised That After 2014 – Ravindra Jadeja's Reply To Pacer's “He Can Bat Like A Proper Batter” Comment

Star India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja came up with a response to veteran England pacer James Anderson’s “he can bat like a proper batter” remark while recalling the ugly spat in the 2014 series.

On Day 2 of the Edgbaston Test, Ravindra Jadeja smashed his third century in Test cricket and amassed 104 runs off 194 balls, including 13 fours, before being dismissed by Anderson. Also, he added 222 runs with Rishabh Pant on Day 1 to help India make a strong comeback.

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Speaking to reporters after stumps on Day 2 at a press conference, Anderson asserted that the star Indian all-rounder Jadeja can now bat like a proper batsman. He said:

“In the past, he was coming at 8, bat with the tail so he had to chance his arm a little bit, whereas now at 7 he can bat like a proper batter. He leaves really well and made it difficult for us.”

Meanwhile, Jadeja was asked about Anderson’s remark at a press conference on Saturday and he gave a savage reply to the pacer’s comment. He stated:

“See, when you score runs, everyone says they think of themselves as a proper batter. But I’ve always tried to give myself time at the crease, to set a partnership with whoever is at the crease, to play with him. It’s nice Anderson has realised that after 2014.”

Notably, during the Trent Bridge Test between India and England in 2014, Jadeja and Anderson had an altercation inside the pavilion and then India team manager Sunil Dev lodged a complaint, alleging Anderson for abusing and pushing Jadeja, as reported by ESPNcricinfo. Later, the veteran England pacer was charged with a Level 3 offence by the ICC.

My focus was to initially not play at too many balls outside off-stump – Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja further talked about the importance of playing close to the body in English conditions. He elaborated:

“In England you have to play close to the body. The ball swings here so if you look to play the cover- or square-drive there is a chance you can edge to the cordon. My focus was to initially not play at too many balls outside off-stump. When the cover or point is vacant there is a temptation to hit the ball through that area for a boundary, but then you can get out in the slips. 

“My thought was only to hit the ball that was really close to me and to hit it straight. Luckily, all the balls that I picked were in my areas and converted them into boundaries. If you know where your off-stump is, then you can leave the balls outside that line.”

India captain Rishabh Pant batted with his natural swashbuckling style and smashed an 89-ball century in the match. Indian wicketkeeper-batsman was dismissed by Joe Root in the 67th over and he scored 146 runs off 111 balls, including 19 fours and 4 sixes.

While talking about Pant’s knock, Jadeja said that the young wicketkeeper-batsman took the pressure off him after going aggressive against every bowler. He asserted:

“A little pressure goes off because he’s hitting every bowler in the same way. He wasn’t leaving anyone alone. At the non-striker’s end, it feels good because they then don’t focus too much on me. But as a batsman, you still have to come to England and concentrate and focus because it is never easy here. 

“You’re playing on 50 or 70 and you can get a good ball anytime. Me and Rishabh were talking about this, that we just try and put on a long partnership. When I came to bat, we had to take the team to a good position and really had to put some effort in. Hopefully, we’ve put a good total on the board.”

Also Read: Robin Peterson Reacts After Stuart Broad Breaks His Unwanted Record For Most Expensive Over In Test Cricket

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