Image Source : GETTY IMAGES Ravindra Jadeja
Star India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja on Saturday mentioned he was mentally ready to bat for 10-15 overs regardless of a fractured thumb, having taken a painkiller injection throughout the drawn third Test towards Australia at Sydney.
Jadeja had sustained a thumb damage whereas batting within the first innings of the Sydney Test and was finally dominated out for six weeks. He will miss the four-Test England collection starting on February 5.
“I was all ready, padded up. Had taken the injection as well. I was just thinking that I would bat for 10-15 overs at least and mentally planning how the innings would pan out, which shots to play because it wasn’t possible for me to play all kinds of shots with the pain from the fracture,” he instructed Sports Today.
“I was also calculating how to tackle the deliveries from fast bowlers, where would they pitch the ball to me. I was planning my role for when I go out to bat for those 10-15 overs.”
Jadeja was not required to bat as Ravichandran Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari produced a lion-hearted effort, dealing with 256 balls on Day 5 to script a memorable draw.
“I did have a chat with the administration that I might bat provided that India managed to achieve a degree from the place the match could possibly be received. Pujara and Rishabh Pant have been batting effectively, they shaped a partnership. We even felt that we may win the sport.
“But unfortunately, Pant was out and the situation changed after that. We had to play for a draw from there on,” he mentioned.
“The manner Ashwin and Vihari batted to save lots of the sport, they confirmed quite a lot of character. It’s not all the time about scoring runs on the subject of Test cricket.
There are occasions and circumstances when you have to save the match. It was an exquisite workforce effort, the best way we saved the match batting so many overs.”
Jadeja mentioned he “didn’t realise that I had fractured my thumb amidst the momentum of batting.”
“At that point during the game, all I had in mind was to add runs for India with the tail-enders. Still I didn’t realise that my finger was broken on the inside, there was pain of course but I thought it must have been the impact of the ball that hit my thumb,” he mentioned.
“So I continued batting with that thought. But when I left the field and scans were done, then we got to know that it’s a broken thumb. But it’s okay, if I had to bat for the team in this situation I definitely would have.”
An injury-hit India scripted an unbelievable 2-1 win within the collection after being bowled out for a document low rating of 36 within the first Test in Adelaide.
Jadeja mentioned after the Adelaide humiliation India took the collection as a three-match affair.
“I believe after Adelaide’s loss, it was a bit powerful. It was powerful as Australia’s bowling assault was very sturdy. We determined to take a look at it as a three-match collection from thereon.
“Let’s neglect concerning the first Test, it is a three-game collection for us’. We determined that we’ll create optimistic power within the floor and enhance one another’s confidence by speaking, not suppose or discuss Adelaide Test.
“I personally decided that I will practice batting in Australia. I had a positive mindset that whenever I will get the chance I will contribute to the team’s cause.”
