3rd ODI: Don’t think there’s any concern over Jadeja’s form, says Siraj ahead of series decider

Indore, Jan 17 (IANS) India pacer Mohammed Siraj played down concerns over Ravindra Jadeja’s recent lean in ODIs, insisting that the veteran all-rounder remains a key figure in their preparation for the series decider against New Zealand, set to happen at the Holkar Stadium on Sunday.

Jadeja’s recent returns with the ball have raised eyebrows, as he has managed just one wicket in his last five ODIs. In the current series against New Zealand, tied currently at 1-1, the spotlight will be on him after going wicketless in Rajkot, where he conceded 44 runs in eight overs.

“I don’t think there is any concern about Jadeja’s form. It is a matter of just one wicket. Once he gets that breakthrough, you will see a different bowler altogether,” Siraj said in the pre-match press conference on Saturday.

He also equalled the decider in Indore to playing a World Cup final. The atmosphere is very good because we are getting a lot of input from the seniors. We won the first match and then played the second, so it feels like a high-pressure situation, almost like a World Cup final. Such situations are very rare in India, so it is a great opportunity for us.”

New Zealand batting all-rounder Daryl Mitchell has emerged as India’s perennial tormentor, as seen from him making 84 in Vadodara before hitting an unbeaten 131 in Rajkot that earned him the Player of the Match award. Taking out Mitchell early will be the key again for India in Sunday’s decider.

We tried our best to get him out (in Rajkot). We had a game plan for him. As you can see, even a world-class batter can make mistakes. If we had grabbed that opportunity (that dropped chance of him), the scenario would have been different.

The way he bats against spin, especially in the middle overs - taking singles and doubles - shows that he is thinking clearly and batting with a plan. In Rajkot, there wasnt much dew and the ball was coming nicely onto the bat. Our plan was to get him out as early as possible, and we will try to do the same in this match, said Siraj.

The pacer, who was a member of the Indian team winning 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup, signed off by wishing the Suryakumar Yadav-led squad good luck for their title defence starting from next month. Siraj missed out on being part of the squad for the upcoming mega event due to him being needed more in playing Tests than white-ball games.

“I was rested in that ODI series against South Africa because I had bowled about 40 overs in the Test match before that which went the full five days. I played in the Australia series (before that). As a fast bowler, rest is very important when you play Test matches regularly because there is a lot of workload. You refuel and then come back focusing on your rhythm and bowling.”

“I played the T20 World Cup last time but not this time so obviously, playing a World Cup is a dream for every player. But it’s ok, the team that has been selected looks very good on paper, everyone is in form. I just wish them good luck, the trophy is here only for now and it should stay here.”

--IANS

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