Durban: Ravindra Jadeja, who is supposed to be an all-rounder but failing with the bat off late, wants to answer his critics by taking five wickets. He has been criticised for being effective only on sub-continental tracks that offer turn.
Jadeja was the pick of of the Indian bowlers as he scalped four for 87 in South Africa's total of 299 for five at stumps on the third day.
"Critics have always said that I can only spin the ball while playing in India. It was my dream to come to South Africa and take five wickets in a Test innings. I have got four at the moment. So I am hoping I can come back tomorrow and pick another one and show my critics that I can spin the ball here as well," Jadeja told at the post-match press conference.
The aggressive tone in his voice could not be missed, especially since he was the stand-out bowler for his side on the day, when the quicker bowlers failed to support him enough.
"I was just trying to bowl in the right areas. There is a rough forming for the left-arm spinner so I was trying to exploit that as well. The odd ball was turning and I was thinking of not giving them any room and bowling stump to stump," Jadeja said.
When asked specifically, if he missed bowling in tandem with another spinner, given that the pitch is so dry, he deflected the question.
"Wickets back in India are different. You can play two spinners there because there is turn and bounce. Here, we get only foot marks to work with. Also it is very difficult for the spinners with the Kookaburra ball. So I think one spinner is enough in the playing XI," he replied.
