The Indian cricket team is currently locking horns with New Zealand in the ongoing ODI series. After India’s disappointing exit from the T20 World Cup 2022 recently, some of the key players including the likes of regular captain Rohit Sharma, vice-captain KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravi Ashwin, Dinesh Karthik, among others were rested so that they can gear up for the much-important Bangladesh Test series which will be part of the ICC Test Championship.
However, several experts and cricketers were left baffled by the decision of head-coach Rahul Dravid along with his support staff opting to take a rest. Filling in the shoes of Dravid, former cricketer VVS Laxman was sent with the Indian side to New Zealand along with his staff at the NCA. Several cricketers and experts criticized the decision of Dravid to take a rest from the series.
The latest one to join the bandwagon is former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja, who took a brutal dig at Rahul Dravid for his decision.
Yes, while speaking to Prime Video on Sunday during the second ODI between India and New Zealand, Ajay Jadeja was asked about how much of an impact Laxman can make during this short series. Responding to this, Jadeja took a dig at Dravid for taking a break. Jadeja feels that the two-and-a-half months of IPL is enough rest for a coach, which is a job for a limited time only. He said: “Coaches don’t need a break,”
Presenter Gaurav Kapur reacted by saying, “No? I’m just asking.”
Explaining his point, Jadeja said: “You get a break for two or two-and-a-half months in the IPL. I mean they are my friends. Vikram Rathour and I go back a long way. Dravid has been a great cricketer for India. I mean, no disrespect for them. But this is a job you do for a couple of years and you give in everything like the players. So not for rest but if it is anything else then…,”
Gaurav Kapur responded to Jadeja’s explanation by reminding him of the fact that the Indian side is all set to lock horns with Bangladesh in a much-important series, which is kickstarting immediately after the ODI series in New Zealand. Rahul Dravid needs to be with the Indian side during the series against Bangladesh.
However, Ajay Jadeja feels that a few of those players of the Test team are presently part of the ODI series against New Zealand and will have just four days gap between the two series. He said:
“It’s also simple thing of not being at two places at the same time. You can’t be unless you are Superman,” said Kapur.
Jadeja replied: “There are gonna be players who are going form here to Bangladesh and there are 4 days gap.”
Kapur said: “There you go, I can’t convince Ajay. He’s got a valid counterpoint.”
