Australian media started their mind games against the Indian cricketers ahead of the Boxing Day Test match in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT 2024-25) series. Australian media targeted Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja for not answering questions in English during the press conference.
The Indian team began their red-ball tour with a 295-run victory in Perth under the leadership of Jasprit Bumrah. However, they suffered a 10-wicket loss in the day-night Test match in Adelaide. The third Test ended in a draw due to rain. Notably, the last two venues of the series suit the Indian team.
Indian Journalist Hits Back at Australian Media Claims on Ravindra Jadeja
It was reported that Ravindra Jadeja answered questions in his native language during a press conference at the MCG on Saturday. Jadeja refused to answer in English despite the presence of Australian journalists. The press conference was quickly concluded when he told them he needed to catch the bus.
An Indian journalist defended Jadeja against Australian media reports that claimed he “refused to answer questions in English.” The journalist stated that it is not mandatory to answer in English. He stated that the all-rounder still managed a 9-minute press conference despite the team bus waiting for him.
Such a rubbish report this. I was present at the MCG along with many journalists, Indians and Australians.
This report states Jadeja “refused to answer questions in English” – from when has it become mandatory to answer in English, @Channel7?
When Harshit Rana addressed the…
— Subhayan Chakraborty (@CricSubhayan) December 21, 2024
Ravindra Jadeja Played a Crucial 77-Run Knock in the Third Test at The Gabba
Ravindra Jadeja played a crucial 77-run knock in the third Test match against Australia at The Gabba. He came in when India was struggling at 74/5 and played a key role in avoiding the follow-on. He added 67 runs for the sixth wicket with KL Rahul and 53 runs with Nitish Kumar Reddy (16) for the seventh wicket.
The all-rounder is likely to retain his place for the upcoming fourth Test match, which is scheduled to be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, starting on December 26.
Ravindra Jadeja Didn’t Live Up to Them Slightly – Harbhajan Singh
During a discussion on Star Sports, Harbhajan Singh praised Ravindra Jadeja for his impressive 77-run knock in India’s first innings of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy third Test. He acknowledged that Jadeja’s bowling didn’t meet expectations, but his batting stood out, especially when the top order struggled.
“The expectations that were there with his bowling, he didn’t live up to them slightly. However, in batting, he did what the top-order batters couldn’t do. I will want to praise his mentality. His batting was terrific. A lot of runs were left to add when he came to bat,” he said.
“The significance of these 77 runs is much more than that. Whenever I see him play, I always think why he doesn’t get to bat up the order. It is beyond my understanding. He played brilliantly and with responsibility. I feel the value of his innings is equal to a hundred,” Harbhajan observed.
Also read: Michael Clarke tears apart Australian selectors for dropping Nathan McSweeney