New Delhi, Jan 21: Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has stressed on the fact that "experienced" Ravindra Jadeja should have communicated better with the lower order batsmen after Team India suffered a 25-run defeat to Australia in the 4th One Day International at Canberra.
India were cruising at 277/1 in 37.2 overs with Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan (both past their century marks) in the middle. But the match took a dramatic turn with the exit of both set batsmen. The visitors' batting collapsed, losing 9 wickets for 46 runs. India were bundled out for 323 in 49.2 overs.

Dhoni is right in criticising Jadeja:
It has been a long time since Ravindra Jadeja is a part of the Indian Team and it is his potential to score quickly lower down the order along with being a good spinner that has earned him a spot in the playing XI. But the left-handed batter from Baroda has hardly shown any improvement with the bat.

In yesterday's match, unlike rest of the lower order batters, Jadeja kept his wicket intact but being a senior batsmen down the lower order he hardly showed any maturity with his batting skills. Instead of retaining the strike for himself, he took singles on several ocassions on the very first delivery of the overs and later watch the tail consume overs.
Following the exit of Rahane, it was expected from Jadeja, who has not only played 125 ODIs but owns a reputation of a big hitter, to take the initiative of hitting the ball. But, all he did was watch the tail enders throwing away their wickets. He was hardly seen communicating with the likes of Kumars, Yadavs and Sharmas while batting.
Ravindra Jadeja's performance in the domestic circuit as well as in the IPL proves he is a destructive batsman, but it has been a long time when he proved his utility from the bat. He should have taken the charge against the Australian bowlers.
High time Jadeja understands his role in the ODI squad:
Earlier, Jadeja was dropped from the ODI squad owing to his poor form with the bat and if he continues missing such chances to cement his position as an all-rounder then he will once again lose the confidence of the selectors.
Who knows a couple of big hits could have helped Team India back in the game. But the tailenders even failed to bring Jadeja on the strike. Its high time Jadeja understands his responsibility as a batsman as well, for that is the only key to his retention in the ODI squad.
Bhuvaneshwar Kumar too failed to perform to his potential:
Same was the case with Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, who is also good at playing strokes. The pacer had a disappointing day with the ball and failed to show any maturity from the bat too. It is high time that lower order batsmen try to contribute from the bat too.
Sometimes, a contribution from the bat, despite a lean patch with the ball, also helps the bowlers cement their position in the side. Also, almost every player in the Indian side is a part of some or the other IPL franchise where they get a chance to perform from the bat as well. If one looks at the Australian squad, given a chance, even the tailenders are capable of hitting big shots.
India has seen some successful run chases, thanks to some sensible batting from the tail enders but no tail ender batter in the current team shows such a promise.
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