Ray Jennings will watch on TV if his son makes his England debut next week

Ray Jennings is a popular figure in Indian cricketing circles having coached Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL for 5 years along with current Team India coach Anil Kumble.

His son Keaton Jennings has just been drafted into the England squad for the remaining two Tests against India as a replacement for the injured Haseeb Hameed and could well be in the line to make his Test debut in the 4th Test in Mumbai. Keaton scored a brilliant century for the England Lions in Dubai on Thursday.

Jennings though, feels it will be better to carry on his holiday rather than head for the Wankhede stadium to see his son in action.

While speaking to the Times, Ray Jennings said, “It is Keaton’s space and he needs to be by himself. It is important he fights for his own opportunity and I would be a presence he can do without. There might be a lot of fuss about what I do and there is enough going on in Keaton’s life as it is.”

“All the India players know me, I had already had messages from Kumble and other friends over there. As far as opportunities in cricket go, it is my second home. I would love to be there but it is best for Keaton that I’m not. It’s about him, not me.”

Keaton is an opening batsman who was born in South Africa and represented the country in U-19 matches but later committed to play for England. Keaton might well become Alastair Cook’s 12th opening partner in Tests since the retirement of Andrew Strauss.

Ray Jennings who is currently enjoying a holiday at Mauritius added, “I might not be there but there is no way I am missing it.

“If I have to buy a shop full of televisions to find one that has the cricket, then I’ll do it. My heart and my hopes will be with him.”

England are 0-2 down in the 5 match series and need to play out of their skin to register a comeback in the series.