We are eager to win in overseas conditions: Ravindra Jadeja

Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja knows that the victories at home count for little until the team starts winning overseas. Team India on Thursday took field against the WICB President’s XI for the second warm-up match. After the day’s play where he had quite an impact to make the left-arm spinner said that the team is looking forward to winning the Test series against West Indies.

“Nowadays, all people care about is how much you have won overseas in Tests and ODIs. So our focus is on that and we want to win here in the West Indies,” Jadeja said at the post-match press conference.

He had a good day with the ball in the second warm-up match where he finished the day with figures of 3/16. “Everyone says that we win easily in India, so we want to change that thinking. We are a young side and each one of us is eager to win in overseas conditions. Fitness and energy are good on this side and the preparation has been good. We are looking forward to winning this Test series in the West Indies,” he added.

He said that it’s good to be a part of the Test side, as it has been a while since India played a Test match. The last Test series was against South Africa at home. “It feels good to be playing in the longer format after a long time. You have to match and also fit for bowling, and I have been working on it. You have to be fit enough to be able to bowl 15-20 overs in a day. The way I bowled today felt like I am building towards it and getting back to my full fitness. The wicket was turning slow but there was good bounce available for us. So I was trying to bowl as per my line and length,” the 27-year old said.

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Speaking about the weather conditions, he said that that is not a worry since it is something similar to the conditions in India in summer. “Mentally, we have to be prepared for hot and humid conditions here. But they are similar to the ones we experience when playing in the Indian summer. So our focus is on thinking about match situations and match conditions, for example when there are long partnerships.”

Spin trio of Amit Mishra, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Jadeja:

On the pitches in the West Indies, as a unit the trio is trying to stick together to the simple plan of restricting the run flow and thereby adding pressure on the batsmen. “We have bowled as a unit today and we haven’t given away too many runs, which has been our main focus. As a bowling attack, our aim is to bowl three consecutive maiden overs and put pressure on the batsmen. I think we are gelling well as a spin trio,” said Jadeja, of his partnership with Ashwin and Mishra.

“All of us have different styles and different bowling speeds. I am a left-arm spinner, Ashwin has off-breaks and Mishra has his leg spin. So that’s a very good thing. Our variations are quite potent and it is not easy for the batsmen to judge three different spinners at the same time and play in three different ways,” he added.

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India might play three spinners, but it depends completely on the wicket. “I think we will test the West Indies’ batsmen in spinning conditions. I don’t know what the combination of the team will be, but I am certainly looking forward to bowling with them as a spin unit.”

Anil Kumble’s presence in the dressing room is also proving to be helpful. “It is very important that he is with us. He has been a legend for Indian cricket and he has done well in both formats. So all we want to do is talk to him about his experience and learn from him,” Jadeja signed off.