IND vs SA: We Will Miss Ravindra Jadeja But I Don't Think That Will Be A Deciding Factor In This Series – Virat Kohli

Indian red-ball captain Virat Kohli has said that they will definitely miss all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja who has been ruled out of the upcoming South Africa series due to an injury. However, the Test captain feels that the all-rounder’s absence won’t be a deciding factor in the series.

The India tour of the South Africa series is set to begin from December 26 and it will consist of three Tests and as many as ODI matches.

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On Wednesday Kohli said that they have never won a series in South Africa and this time they have a well-balanced team and can do something special in the series. He stated:

 “We are very well placed in terms of experience, belief and confidence that this time around we can do something special and get the results that we want as a team and overcome probably the toughest conditions to go and win a series. South Africa is one place where we have not won a series yet. So we are very motivated to do that. And the mindset is always to go there and win a series in any country that we play.”

“We don’t anymore think of just winning a Test here and there and we will do our absolute best that we can as a team and make sure that we keep contributing towards that cause,” he added

India have become a dominant force in Test cricket having won series in Australia and in the recent England tour they were leading by 2-1 before the tour was suspended.

Meanwhile, Kohli further added that they just need the right mindset to stand up to the challenge in South Africa. He said:

“We can take a lot of motivation from that of course. We probably won in the toughest conditions on that tour. So that should give us a lot of confidence, If we have the right mindset then we start off the series with a lot of confidence and belief we can definitely stand up to any challenge that comes our way and take a lot of heart from it. We will take a lot of motivation and a lot of belief from that victory.”

Ravindra Jadeja Has Obviously Been A Very Important Player For Us – Virat Kohli

Talking about Jadeja’s absence Kohli said that he has been a crucial member of the side and has contributed in all three departments. He said:

“Jadeja has obviously been a very important player for us. He contributes in all three departments of the game, which is invaluable, especially in overseas conditions. He will obviously be missed.”

Virat Kohli however was confident of India’s quality bench strength and said that they have created an environment where players “are seizing the opportunity and grabbing it with both hands”. He elaborated:

“But having said that, we do have quality in the side to be able to create the best combination possible on the field for us and still be in situations or positions to win Test matches. We have created that kind of bench strength and that kind of environment where people coming in are seizing the opportunity and grabbing it with both hands and making sure that the. the team is helped by their performances.”

“So as much as we will miss him I don’t think that that will be a deciding factor in this series or moving forward,” the India skipper added.

Talking about the surface in South Africa Virat Kohli said that those are the most challenging conditions for batting because of the pace and bounce and it can be quite tricky for the batters. He said:

“I think those kinds of things really help when you play in conditions which are probably in my opinion the most challenging for batting because of the pace and bounce on offer. The conditions can be quite tricky with swing as well bounce. We’ve seen that in South Africa so I think as much simulation as we can have understanding which areas we’re hitting the ball, getting into good shapes and the bowlers as well.”

Also Read: Ashes 2021-22: England Announces 12-Man Squad For Adelaide Test; James Anderson And Stuart Broad Return

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