JADEJA HAPPY TO REPAY FAITH OF THE SKIPPER

North Sound (Antigua), Aug. 24: Ravindra Jadeja is glad that he could repay skipper Virat Kohli’s faith in him with a gritty halfcentury, ignoring the few eyebrows being raised over his inclusion for the first Test against West Indies.

Jadeja struck 58 off 112 deliveries and shared a crucial 60 runs with Ishant Sharma (19) for the eight wicket, helping India reach 297 all out in the first innings. By the wend of second day’s play, India had taken control of the match as the West Indies trailed by 108 runs with just two wickets remaining in their first innings.

“I did not have any pressure to perform. Obviously you feel good when the skipper believes in you, considers you as main player. It boosts your confidence because your captain is showing confidence on you. Luckily, I have been able to repay the faith by performing well. I will keep doing the same in future also,” said Jadeja.

“When I was batting, I was just looking to build a partnership. I was focussing to play with the tail-enders like Ishant, Shami and Bumrah.

“I was focussing on my game, I was not thinking about what is going on outside, what others think. I was just trying to give my best on the field,” said Jadeja.