Jadeja, the scapegoat

Jadeja was promoted because Dhoni & Co didn't want to face the short-pitched stuff that England dished out during India's three-run defeat on Sunday, feels the all-rounder's coach Debu Mitra

Jadeja, the scapegoat

Jadeja was promoted because Dhoni & Co didn't want to face the short-pitched stuff that England dished out during India's three-run defeat on Sunday, feels the all-rounder's coach Debu Mitra

Young Ravindra Jadeja is being seen as the villain of the piece after India's humiliating exit from the ICC World Twenty20. The left-handed batsman is being crucified for batting too slowly at No 4 for his 35-ball 25 to hand

the momentum to England in India's all-important Super Eights game at Lord's on Sunday. India failed to keep pace with the climbing run-rate and fell short of England's total of 153 by three runs.

However, Debu Mitra, who is Jadeja's coach in the Saurashtra Ranji Trophy team has slammed skipper M S Dhoni and other senior batsmen for shirking from the challenge and throwing a rookie at the deep end in a crunch situation.

Mitra, who was in London on the day of the match, told MiD DAY that Jadeja did not even have adequate time to prepare for the big game. "It is surprising that till 12.45 on Sunday afternoon, Jadeja did not know he was playing the match. When I had a chat with him in the afternoon and asked him whether he is playing today (Sunday), Jadeja told me, 'Not that I know'," Mitra said.

"He did not get to play against Bangladesh and Ireland, which meant there was no indication that he would be picked. He was not only picked but asked to bat at No 4," said Mitra.

"We sent him (Jadeja) to consolidate the earlier part of the innings. Then Yuvraj, Yusuf and I could go after their bowling," reasoned Dhoni on that fateful night. But Mitra is not convinced. "Then, why did Dhoni bat at No 3 in the earlier matches? Jadeja is a young boy and No 4 is a position for an established batsman. Why send an all-rounder? Jadeja is not even a pinch-hitter," the coach said.

"For me, it showed that the senior batsmen did not want to face short-pitched bowling. Don't blame the young boy if the seniors cannot take responsibility and instead send a youngster to face a crunch. I feel sorry for Jadeja. He bowled well and got two wickets. His bowling performance proved that he was not overawed by the atmosphere at Lord's. It is surprising to know that he is under the team management's scrutiny for no reason," fumed Mitra.

"He showed courage in scoring 25 off 35 balls, and it was a job the captain bestowed on him. If you decide to play a youngster, give him proper time to prepare himself, and that too in a big match.

"If I have to pick a star cricketer in the next few years, it will be Jadeja. He is the best fielder in the team.

What he needs now is confidence from the team management," Mitra emphasised.

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