Ravindra Jadeja has made headlines with a bold statement that he wants to become India’s Test captain despite Shubman Gill already being made the new skipper after Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the format ahead of the five-match Test series in England.
Even though Jasprit Bumrah was also in the race, Gill was selected as India’s new Test captain because the premier pacer might not play all five Tests in England. Jadeja was also among the candidates for the captaincy, but Gill got the job despite not having experience.
Captaincy in Tests not complicated like IPL or T20s, says Ravindra Jadeja
Well, the Indian all-rounder has boldly said that leading the team in Test cricket is easier than in T20s, where every ball creates pressure, as the longest format of the game gives a captain more time to think and make decisions calmly, and they do not have to think much about left-right combinations.
Ravindra Jadeja told R. Ashwin on the ‘Kutti Stories With Ash’ YouTube show, “In Test cricket, you have to change two or three fielders as per the need of the bowler. Captaincy in Test cricket is different. It’s simple but calculative. It’s not complicated like IPL or T20Is. In T20s, every ball is an event. Test cricket is not that hectic.”
Ravindra Jadeja fires a shot at Shubman Gill after Test captaincy snub
Ravindra Jadeja has not stopped there, as the seasoned all-rounder took a sharp dig at Shubman Gill. Targeting the newly appointed Test captain, who doesn’t have a good overseas record, Jadeja boldly hinted that captaincy isn’t just about potential, but it’s about truly knowing the game inside out.
He made it clear that experience matters more than just learning on the job, and it can’t be replaced overnight. With this subtle swipe, Jadeja has added fuel to the fiery debate over whether Gill, who is also India’s vice-captain in ODIs, is ready to lead India in Test cricket.
Jadeja noted, “Just one thing is left… Test captaincy. I’ve mostly achieved everything else, and it is a moment of pride to be Test Captain or lead India. Captaincy is something that can be learned with time… But I believe that an experienced cricketer understands the pulse of the game.”
Ravindra Jadeja reveals secrets from MS Dhoni’s captaincy playbook
Having played under captains like MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, Jadeja feels those experiences have taught him how to handle captaincy and read the game well. However, he made these remarks before Gill was named India’s next Test captain.
He further explained, “I have played under different captains. I know the mindset of every single captain that I have played under. Every captain has a different mindset on how he wants to run the team. For example, MS Dhoni, I have played under him in every format. His thinking is very simple. If he feels that a batter can hit in that region, he will simply take a fielder there. He wants to make them uncomfortable by not putting a fielder where they can’t hit.”
Jadeja has called MS Dhoni “great” when he was asked to define the legendary cricketer in one word. The all-rounder said that it is impossible to define him in a word, but said that Dhoni stands above everyone else, and he is great at the game.
