Jadeja is valuable: Kohli
INDIAN captain Virat Kohli praised all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja for his five-wicket haul in the team’s innings and 53 runs’ victory over Sri Lanka in the second cricket Test on Sunday.
The Saurashtra cricketer bagged figures of 5/152 in the Sri Lankan second innings, also helping India get rid of Dimuth Karunaratne, who played a brilliant knock of 141 for the hosts.
“Guys who have both abilities are very rare to find. That’s where we think they’re very precious, specially in the longer format because they provide you with great balance,” Kohli said.
“He (Jadeja) can give you a very quick 60-70 anywhere at any stage and it can really turn the game… He’s always in the game. I would say he’s a very valuable cricketer for us,” Kolhi added.
The skipper also said that it was important for the side to enjoy the tough situations after taking an unassailable 2-0 lead over the hosts and clinching the three-Test series.
“Today we said even if we don’t get wickets early on, we are going to enjoy these tough times as well, because they really improve you as a side,” the Delhi batsman said.
“Success will come your way, but you need patience. Very happy that we went through the difficult phases as well and you never get complacent as a side then,” said Kohli, who became the only Indian captain to win two Test series in Sri Lanka.
But Kohli’s praises could not prevent Jadeja from being slapped with a one-match ban (effective for the third Tests between these nations) for violating the ICC Code of Conduct during the second match in Colombo.
The incident happened on Saturday when Jadeja, after fielding off his own bowling, threw the ball back at the batsman who had not left his crease. The on-field umpires deemed the throwing “dangerous” because it narrowly missed batsman Dimuth Karunaratne.
Jadeja was found guilty of breaching article 2.2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Player and Player Support Personnel which related to throwing a ball (or any other item of cricket equipment such as a water bottle) at or near a player, player support personnel, umpire, match referee or any other third person in an inappropriate or dangerous manner, the ICC said.
“As Jadeja had received a 50% fine and three demerit points during the Indore Test against New Zealand in October 2016 for violating 2.2.11 of the Code, with the addition of Saturday’s three demerit points, he has reached the threshold of four demerit points, which, pursuant to article 7.6 of the Code, have now been converted into two suspension points,” it added.
After this suspension, the six demerit points will remain on Jadeja’s disciplinary record. If Jadeja reaches the next threshold of eight or more demerit points within a 24-month period, they will be converted into four suspension points.
The third Test against Sri Lanka will be played in Pallekele from August 12-16. – IANS