Ravindra Jadeja counters Kapil Dev’s criticism of Indian team

The Indian cricket team had come in for severe criticism from the country’s 1983 World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev after their dismissal loss to the West Indies in the second ODI.

Kapil’s comments that big money brought by the Indian Premier League has made the players arrogant. He had also implied that the team India players attached more importance to the IPL league than playing for their country.

However, team India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja contradicted Kapil Dev and said that the former cricketer had got it wrong.

“I don’t know when he has said this. I don’t search these things on social media. See everyone has their own opinion. Ex-players have full right to share their opinion, but I don’t think there is any arrogance in this team,” Jadeja told reporters ahead of the third and final ODI against West Indies.

In an interview with The Week, Kapil had said: “Sometimes, when too much money comes, arrogance comes. These cricketers, they feel they know everything.”

“IPL is a great thing but IPL can spoil you also. Because, a little bit of injuries and you will play in IPL. A little bit of injuries, you won’t play for India. You would take a break. I’m being very open about it,” said the cricket great.

Kapil Dev also criticised the BCCI. “If you have a small injury, you would play in IPL if it’s an important game. At this stage, cricket board has to understand how much cricket they should play. That is the bottomline… There’s something wrong with cricket board there,” he added.

Jadeja said, “Everyone is enjoying their cricket and everyone is hardworking. No one has taken anything for granted. They are giving their 100 percent.

“Such comments generally come when the Indian team loses a match. This is a good bunch of boys, this is a good group. We are representing India and that is our main aim, there is no personal agenda,” he explained.

India now take on West Indies in the 3rd and final ODI on Tuesday.