T20 World Cup 2024: Ravindra Jadeja’s form should not be questioned: Sunil Gavaskar defends all-rounder

Legendary Sunil Gavaskar has put his weight behind under-fire Ravindra Jadeja in the ongoing T20 World Cup. Gavaskar feels Jadeja’s form should not be questioned. Jadeja scored an unbeaten knock of nine runs off five balls against Australia at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia on Monday.

But he conceded 17 runs in the solitary over he bowled and went wicketless. The left-arm spinner is yet to pick up a solitary wicket in the ongoing T20I showpiece and has also failed to add the finishing touches whenever he has got the opportunity. Jadeja has managed only 16 runs in three innings at an average of eight.

However, Gavaskar is not bothered by Ravindra Jadeja’s mundane form as the all-rounder has got all the experience under his belt.

“I am not at all concerned as he is very experienced. For whatever opportunities he’s got, he’s done well. And don’t forget, in the field itself, he saved 20 to 30 runs with his fielding ability, taking catches, and getting the run out. So don’t forget those 20-30 plus runs. Then he enters the field, with anything that he does with the bat and ball is an added value to his ability.

“So I don’t think we should even think about questioning (Jadeja). The problem with India and Indian fans is, 2 bad games and you go ”what to do with him, what to do with him?’,” Gavaskar said on Star Sports.

Gavaskar feels Jadeja’s place in the starting XI should never be questioned as the all-rounder is a proven match-winner for India.

“You know that is the worry. Nobody who asks these questions even thinks about their own professions, whether they have made 2 errors and whether people are questioning their place in their own profession, whichever profession they are. This is just simply a good topic for television, you don’t question Jadeja’s place in the playing XI. He’s a rock star,” Gavaskar further added.

India will face England in the semifinals at the Providence Stadium, Guyana on Thursday.