After a humiliating 3-0 loss at home to New Zealand, the India Cricket Team will be hungry and out for revenge. And this is precisely what former India cricketer Ajay Jadeja is predicting. While he has downsized India’s chances of reaching the WTC Finals but believes since India has nothing to lose, the visitors will be a very dangerous side heading into the Border Gavaskar Trophy
India’s next appointment is the coveted IND vs AUS series, slated to start on 22nd November. India dug their own grave of reaching the World Test Championship (WTC) Finals with relative ease after their disaster class against the Kiwis. The Black Caps humiliated India to register a mega 3-0 series win in India.
Best Team, Best Captain
And with that India’s chances of reaching the WTC Finals dwindled down. Rohit Sharma and Co now need to win the BGT 4-0 to automatically qualify for the finals. Ajay Jadeja however believes that the series loss was a wake-up call that the side needed after winning the T20 World Cup.
“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,” Ajay Jadeja said at Sportstar Sports Conclave in Rajasthan.
“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,” he added.
One of India’s Best
Ajay Jadeja also went on to heap huge praises for Rishabh Pant. The former India cricketer claimed that as long as Pant continues to play, he will remain one of India’s best. He also spoke about the mental strength and conditioning that proved crucial in Jasprit Bumrah’s success.
“As long as he’s (Pant) 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. 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,” Jadeja concluded.