Dhoni backs Ravindra Jadeja

What changes do you see since that inaugural World T20 victory as a young captain in 2007? “Well, I see a lot more media out here then what it was back then,” Dhoni replied with a smile.

“No one took the tournament seriously back then. It was one group going from England to South Africa while another group came from India. T20 was discussed in a joking way. They would mic-up the players (set with microphones). There was bowl-out then. We practiced a lot of bowl-outs and had fun. We won against Pakistan in a bowl out,” Dhoni fondly recollected.

Talking about the time that had elapsed, Dhoni said he could see a lot of changes happening.

“Now when I look at the mirror, I can see a lot of grey beard!,” he said.

“A lot has indeed changed as the game has become much more intense nowadays. The batsmen are trying to play all those innovative shots.”

Asked about the pressure of expectations and Dhoni said it’s the same whether it’s one person who is expecting or a billion people.

“It’s like having 100 kg put over you. That’s good enough to weigh you down. After that even if you put a mountain, it will not make a difference,” Dhoni said as the media contingent had a good laugh.

Cricket is a game of numbers but the Indian captain really does not like every effort or performance to be judged statistically.

“Judging every performance with statistics is a difficult thing to do,” Dhoni said referring to Ravindra Jadeja’s performance in the ongoing World Cup.

While the Saurashtra all-rounder has picked up wickets, he has also been hit for runs.

“Look everybody gets hit. It depends on the kind of shots that the batsman is playing. If it’s a rash shot that goes for boundary, then the bowler is not doing a bad job. But if you have to judge, whether it is a bad delivery or a good shot. That’s what I try to analyse standing behind the stumps,” Dhoni explained.

ICC T20: INDIA Is Ready For Gayle Challenge

After a thumping win over Pakistan, Indian spinners will now have to brace up for the ever-dangerous Chris Gayle when the team squares off against defending champion West Indies in its second match of the ICC World Twenty20 Championships here tomorrow.

 A victory against Pakistan was just the kind of shot in the arm that was required before facing a team that has world's most devastating T20 batsman in Gayle. While a rampaging Gayle can take away the game at any point of time with his blazing bat, the Indian spin trio of Ravichandran Ashwin, Amit Mishra and Ravindra Jadeja will definitely pose a few problems for the 'Jamaican Marauder'. 

Gayle has minimum footwork as he believes in stand and hit technique. With Ashwin successfully employing a round the wicket technique to bottle up batsman and Mishra inviting him to come out by flighting his deliveries, it will be a challenge for Gayle to devise a counter strategy. While spinners will hold the key, Dhoni would also expect that Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami don't bowl length balls to Gayle as it has a chance of consistently landing in the stands.

However, Indian bowlers will also have to deal with an attacking batsman like Dwayne Smith, who has the ability to hit over the in-field consistently during Powerplay overs. Dwayne Bravo and Marlon Samuels are also capable enough to destroy any bowling attack on their day.Let wait and see.

India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Stuart Binny, Amit Mishra, Mohit Sharma, Varun Aaron. 

West Indies: Darren Sammy (captain), Samuel Badree, Dwayne Bravo, Johnson Charles, Sheldon Cottrell, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine, Denesh Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Krishmar Santokie, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith

Ravindra Jadeja completes 100 ODIs.

 

IndiaRavindra Jadeja played his 100th One-Day International (ODI) match, during India’s encounter with Pakistan in the sixth match of Asia Cup 2014.

Jadeja, who debuted against Sri Lanka on February 8, 2009, has now played 100 ODIs, 15 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) and eight Tests in his five-year long international career.

A Shocking win for INDIA made by MSD and JADDU

Ravindra Jadeja was the most successful Indian bowlers returning figures of 4/24, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin picked two wickets each.


India won the toss and chose to bowl first.


Jadeja received good support from fellow spinner R. Ashwin after Bhuvaneshwar Kumar had rocked Sri Lanka with two early strikes.India’s bowlers maintained pressure all the way through.


Sri Lanka scored 201 in their innings, with Kumar Sangakkara's 71 the highlight as Ravindra Jadeja took four wickets. It seemed to be an easy target, but India made a hash of it until Dhoni's cool temperament saved the day and they reached 203 for nine.

Sangakkara showed his class by making a nifty 71, while Thirimanne made 46. The latter was out first, limping slightly, when he skied an Ishant Sharma delivery for Kumar to catch. Sanga was out three runs later, having faced 100 balls.

From there, the wickets tumbled. Only Angelo Mathews reached double figures and that was only 10, as Jadeja ripped through the lower order. Dinesh Chandimal, Lasith Malinga, Rangana Herath and Suranga Lakmal all bowed to the moustached spinner.

India's innings was not the stuff of fairytales, as Shaminda Eranga removed Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli cheaply, putting them on 27 for two. Rohit Sharma and Dinesh Karthik then added 50 to steady the knock.Suresh Raina came in to join Rohit and they pushed the score to 139 before Rohit fell.

After all Dhoni took his sweet time.He finishes final via two sixes and a four off Eranga.

Ravindra jadeja with ICC CHAMPIONS TROPHY and his GOLDEN BALL