Former India middle-order batter Ajay Jadeja on Saturday defended head coach Gautam Gambhir from the criticism he has received following the 0-3 drubbing against New Zealand, saying it’s “unfair” given the short time he has been in the new role. Gambhir, the hero of the 2011 World Cup title triumph, took over the reins of the India team in July after Rahul Dravid’s tenure ended. Following a bright start against Sri Lanka in the T20I series, India lost the ODI series to the home side. The Test team then thrashed Bangladesh 2-0 before a nightmare outing against New Zealand put Gambhir under massive scrutiny.

“I think you are being unfair to him… If you will start judging people on the basis of their coaching role or whatever way it is being looked at, it is too short a time to for people to be judged,” Jadeja told PTI Videos in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of FICCI Turf event on Saturday..

“If you are not convinced that he is good, then one performance here or there will be able to convince anyone. I don’t think it is the time to judge him, it is the time we should enjoy him,” added Jadeja, known for his exploits in the 50-over game where he scored over 5000 runs in 196 ODIs.

India’s massive 295-run win against Australia in the first Border-Gavaskar Test at Perth following the no-show against the Kiwis has come as a huge morale-booster for the side and Jadeja felt Gambhir should not be judged within six months of his appointment.

“So, there are phases and it will come, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. So, I won’t go into that direction and start judging him (Gambhir) in six months.

“You knew what you were asking for and what you were getting. He is a very clear-cut person and he has made it clear throughout his life. So, what your are seeing now is what everyone expected of him to do.” Jadeja said that regular Test skipper Rohit Sharma’s return for the second Test at Adelaide from December 6 after missing the opening game will boost India’s confidence.

“Him (Rohit Sharma) coming back to the team will surely boost India’s confidence, for sure. He is a leader, when the chips were down, team was going down, he stood up there as the leader and now when the team is going up, he will be again there as the leader.”

Asked whether KL Rahul and Rohit should swap batting slots in the second Test after the former had a formidable outing in the Perth game, Jadeja said, “I have no details of what the team is thinking right now, no views on who should bat at what number. Rohit Sharma has always been an asset to the side wherever he bats.”

Opening the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rahul scored 77 in the second innings at Perth, helping India to set a massive 534-run target. Some experts have opined that Rahul should open in the Adelaide Test as well, while Rohit should in at one-down. 

Former India cricketer Ajay Jadeja has heaped praise on Virat Kohli following his stunning century in Perth, which played a crucial role in India’s 295-run victory over Australia in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Jadeja’s comments came in the wake of Kohli’s remarkable performance that silenced critics and reaffirmed his status as one of cricket’s modern-day greats. “Doubters can rest in peace… The name itself says it all. If there were doubters, they can rest in peace. Geniuses aren’t born overnight,” Jadeja told ANI, emphasizing Kohli’s exceptional talent and ability to rise to the occasion. Kohli’s century in Perth was not just a display of his technical prowess but also a testament to his resilience and determination. After facing criticism and skepticism from some quarters, Kohli’s return to form with a heroic ton was a fitting response to his detractors.

India’s comprehensive victory in the first Test has set the tone for the series, with Kohli’s innings being a significant contributor to the team’s success. His ability to perform under pressure and lead from the front has once again been underscored by this remarkable feat.

The win in Perth not only gave India a crucial lead in the series but also boosted the team’s morale.

In the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, India won the toss and elected to bat but managed only 150 runs. Nitish Kumar Reddy (41 off 59 balls, six fours, one six) and Rishabh Pant (37 off 78 balls, three fours, one six) added a crucial 48-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Josh Hazlewood (4/29) was Australia’s standout bowler, while Pat Cummins, Mitchell Marsh, and Mitchell Starc claimed two wickets each.

Australia’s response was dismal, collapsing to 79/9 before a late partnership between Mitchell Starc (26) and Alex Carey (21) took them to 104, conceding a 46-run lead. Jasprit Bumrah led India’s bowling with 5/30, while debutant Harshit Rana impressed with 3/48.

India dominated in the second innings. KL Rahul (77 off 176 balls, five fours) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (161 off 297 balls, 15 fours, three sixes) put on a 201-run opening stand. Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 100 (143 balls, eight fours, two sixes), supported by Washington Sundar (29 off 94 balls, one six) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (38* off 27 balls, three fours, two sixes), took India to 487/6 declared, setting Australia a target of 534.

Nathan Lyon (2/96) was Australia’s most effective bowler, while Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood took a wicket each.

At stumps on Day 3, Australia were reeling at 12/3, with Bumrah taking two wickets and Mohammed Siraj one. On Day 4, valiant efforts from Travis Head (89 off 101 balls, eight fours) and Mitchell Marsh (47 off 67 balls, three fours, two sixes) couldn’t save Australia, as they were bowled out for 238, handing India a commanding 295-run victory.

Bumrah (3/42) and Siraj (3/51) starred in the second innings, with Washington Sundar taking two wickets and Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana chipping in with one each.

Stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah was named ‘Player of the Match’ for his eight wickets in the game.

Former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja addressing during the Sporstar Sports Conclave focus Rajasthan at the Poornima University in Jaipur on November 09, 2024.
| Photo Credit: R.V. Moorthy

Ajay Jadeja described India’s 0-3 home series loss to New Zealand as a “wake-up call” but expressed confidence in its ability to bounce back and win the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.

Speaking at the Sportstar Sports Conclave in Rajasthan, Jadeja said, “You need a wake-up call sometimes. We won the (T20) World Cup this year, we’re the best team, with the best captain, but suddenly Rohit Sharma is criticised for not moving well. I feel for him.”

No WTC final

Jadeja, emphasising India’s edge, said: “We may not reach the World Test Championship final, but I believe we can secure the series win.

“Our team has more experience from multiple tours Down Under, unlike earlier eras when players only visited every eight years.

“Now, with nothing to lose, we’ll be a dangerous side.” Jadeja also praised Rishabh Pant’s impactful role in the 2020/21 series win, calling him “freakish and brilliant.”

Handle with care

However, he advised caution in handling Pant’s unique style: “As long as he’s playing, he’ll be one of India’s best. The challenge lies in not stifling his creativity. Once you try to control such players, their brilliance diminishes. It’s a double-edged sword.”

Jadeja also spoke on the mental strength required at the international level while highlighting Jasprit Bumrah’s resilience.

Prime example

“At that stage, it’s about training your mind, not just your body. Bumrah is a prime example; despite being advised to change his action as a teenager, he trusted his instincts and persevered.

“That belief, paired with mental toughness, is remarkable.”

Former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja addressing during the Sporstar Sports Conclave focus Rajasthan at the Poornima University in Jaipur on November 09, 2024.
| Photo Credit: R.V. Moorthy

Ajay Jadeja described India’s 0-3 home series loss to New Zealand as a “wake-up call” but expressed confidence in its ability to bounce back and win the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.

Speaking at the Sportstar Sports Conclave in Rajasthan, Jadeja said, “You need a wake-up call sometimes. We won the (T20) World Cup this year, we’re the best team, with the best captain, but suddenly Rohit Sharma is criticised for not moving well. I feel for him.”

No WTC final

Jadeja, emphasising India’s edge, said: “We may not reach the World Test Championship final, but I believe we can secure the series win.

“Our team has more experience from multiple tours Down Under, unlike earlier eras when players only visited every eight years.

“Now, with nothing to lose, we’ll be a dangerous side.” Jadeja also praised Rishabh Pant’s impactful role in the 2020/21 series win, calling him “freakish and brilliant.”

Handle with care

However, he advised caution in handling Pant’s unique style: “As long as he’s playing, he’ll be one of India’s best. The challenge lies in not stifling his creativity. Once you try to control such players, their brilliance diminishes. It’s a double-edged sword.”

Jadeja also spoke on the mental strength required at the international level while highlighting Jasprit Bumrah’s resilience.

Prime example

“At that stage, it’s about training your mind, not just your body. Bumrah is a prime example; despite being advised to change his action as a teenager, he trusted his instincts and persevered.

“That belief, paired with mental toughness, is remarkable.”

File photo of Ajay Jadeja© X (Twitter)

CSK can retain MS Dhoni for Rs 4 crore as an uncapped player ahead of IPL auction.© BCCI

Rishabh Pant in action during Test against Bangladesh© AFP

India head coach Gautam Gambhir will push for an aggressive approach and will not allow the opposition to take the initiative in the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh, feels former batter Ajay Jadeja. India host Bangladesh for a two-match Test series beginning in Chennai from September 19, to be followed by three T20Is. “It is very clear, his approach is aggressive. One thing is sure, there will never be a dull moment with him around, he will always try something. He will do what he believes,” Jadeja told reporters when asked about the Indian team’s approach under Gambhir during the upcoming series.

“He (Gambhir) will not be somebody who will sit back and let things flow. He will be out there, he will try things like we saw Suryakumar Yadav becoming captain suddenly. I am looking forward to the excitement we are going to see this year.”

The 53-year-old Jadeja, who’s mostly remembered as a top ODI batter with 5359 runs from 196 matches at an average of 37.47, was speaking to the media on the sidelines of the Cricket Association of Bengal’s annual awards function.

Asked whether he will offer suggestions to Gambhir, Jadeja said, “I hope he does not take suggestions. The reason why he is there is because of what he did and how he looks at it.

“I hope he does not take anybody’s advice and change his approach because what has made you who you are is something that you should believe in and stick to. He can always get better.” Jadeja served as mentor of the Afghanistan team during the 2023 ODI World Cup in India.

Bangladesh are coming after a historic Test series win in Pakistan but Jadeja said India is a “far superior” team.

“Any team which has come just after winning will always think they can win. But there is a difference between the Pakistan team at the moment with the India cricket team. The Indian team is a far superior team.

“But yes, from their (Bangladesh’s) point of view, they will believe that since they have beaten Pakistan, why cannot they (beat India). But we are a better side, but they will definitely be a handful. They play spin well, they bowl spin, so conditions suit.” Asked about the Indian team’s prospects in the upcoming Test tour of Australia beginning in November, Jadeja said, “November is far off but we have done well in Australia in the past. Why should we not think that we will do it again.

“We should only get better from there,” he added.

Afghanistan pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the history of cricket, beating Australia by 21 runs in the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup. This was their first win of over Australia in any format, having narrowly lost out to them in the ODI World Cup last year in India. The win also keeps Afghanistan afloat in the race to qualify for the semi-finals of the tournament. Afghanistan have pulled off some huge results over the years, but after wins over New Zealand and Australia in the ongoing T20 World Cup, it is safe to say that they are knocking on the door to become a cricketing powerhouse.

Former India all-rounder Ajay Jadeja, who was the mentor of the team during the ODI World Cup last year, had claimed that Afghanistan will become a big team the moment they beat a top cricketing nation.

A video of the same has resurfaced after Afghanistan’s famous win over Australia.

“Some of the participating teams have been playing cricket for over 100 years. But, Afghanistan is a young cricketing nation with around 15-20 years of experience. So, all this is part of the journey. During the 2019 World Cup, both India and Pakistan survived an upset against Afghanistan by the barest of margins. You are saying today that they (Afghanistan) are a small team. But, the day they beat a big team, they will also become a big team,” Jadeja had said during the ODI World Cup last year in India.

Jis Din Gira Denge, Us Din Ye (Afghanistan) Badi Team ho jaegi

New Zealand 2024 T20 WC

Pakistan 2023 WC

England 2023 WC

Sri Lanka 2023 WC@ACBofficials many more to come#T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/7CchESeFTB

— Ajay Jadeja (@AjayJadeja171) June 15, 2024

After the match, even Australia captain Mitchell Marsh admitted Afghanistan “outplayed us” on a night when his side dropped five catches. 

“They’re a very good cricket team who play against the best all the time and they have improved a hell of a lot over the last few years,” said Marsh. 

“We know certainly in these conditions that they are a big danger team. Like I said before, they outplayed us tonight and credit to them.”

With one match to play in the Super Eights, Afghanistan and Australia have two points each while India top the group with four. 

Afghanistan will face winless Bangladesh in their final game in the Super Eights in Kingstown, St Vincent while Australia, who currently occupy second spot in the group on the basis of run rate, will likely need to beat India in St Lucia to secure a place in the semi-finals.

(With AFP Inputs)