'Captaincy In Test Format Is Simpler': Is Ravindra Jadeja Taking A Sly Dig At Virat Kohli?
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Ravindra Jadeja told Ashwin that he believes Test captaincy is simpler and less chaotic compared to the high-pressure T20 format.
An honest opinion or a sly shot at Test captains such as Virat Kohli?
Ravindra Jadeja left much to be deliberated after the veteran Indian all-rounder spoke out on the differences and the challenges that one faces being a short-format captain compared to the longer Test format.
In a recent interview with his former Indian teammate R Ashwin, Jadeja opened up on his view on Test captaincy and how it is more geared towards understainding the rhtyhm of play over a prolonged perios of time, compared to the high-intensity pressure situations that T20 captains are exposed to.
'The Test format is as such, where you just have to change two or three fielders, according to the bowler. Not according to the batter," Jadeja stated in an interview with R Ashwin for his YouTube channel.
Jadeja cooked the overhyped Test captain Kohli. 🤣❤️ pic.twitter.com/XfnCIycSnQ — ???????????? ???????????????????????? (@jod_insane) May 28, 2025
'That's why I say captaining in the Test format is different. It's much simpler. It's about reading when your bowler is in good rhythm and when to play him or not play him. When to bring in your main bowler."
'It's a bit calculative. But, it's not as demanding as captaincy in the IPL or in the T20 format. Because in the shorter formats, every ball is an event. If a ball goes for a six or four, then one is forced to make changes. So, captaining in the Test format is not so chaotic," Jadeja concluded.
Jadeja brought in his personal perspective into play, having played under multiple captains such as the likes of MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, emphasising the calmer and more forgiving nature of Test cricket captaincy, compared to the same in shorter formats.
'I've played under many captains. But I have never noticed something so starkly challenging in the Test format. There's no pressure to suddenly change your batting order, and you also have ample time and breaks to decide changes. Like the batter at play doesn't feel any pressure from the captain to play a certain shot," Jadeja expounded.
'So, the only thing I believe is that the challenge in Test cricket is in learning how and when to utilise your bowlers, according to the situation."
Well, whether it is a shot at his former captains or an honest conversation is left up to interpretation. A question that India's new Test captain Shubman Gill may be intrigued to know the answer to.
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