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What is Ravindra Jadeja's success mantra?

June 12, 2013 09:30 IST
India's Ravindra Jadeja (centre) is congratulated by teammates Dinesh Karthik (left) and Rohit Sharma after dismissing West Indies' Ravi Rampaul

India's newest Man Friday Ravindra Jadeja feels that secret of his success lies in "keeping things simple" and that helped him record career-best figures of five for 36 against West Indies in a group match of the Champions Trophy at the Oval in London on Tuesday.

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"This is my best bowling performance and I am very happy about it. I have had three four-wicket hauls, but this one is special. I just tried to keep things simple," Jadeja said.

"I was just aiming to bowl the right line, which I did. The Oval wicket was dry and affording spin and I wasn't surprised by the conditions even if it was overcast," Jadeja said.

Jadeja said he has worked on his game in the last six months and always tried to keep things simple.

"Earlier, I would strategise too much and get all mixed up. Now I just come for a game and adjust to the conditions and play my best," he said.

'Our team has the right balance'

June 12, 2013 09:30 IST
avichandran Ashwin (right) celebrates with team-mates after taking the catch to dismiss Chris Gayle

The Saurashtra all-rounder thanked his skipper for showing faith in his abilities.

"Mahi bhai is a thinking captain. He can read your abilities very well and I am happy I am doing the job for him," Jadeja said, adding with a smile: "I still can't figure out why he calls me, Sirji."

Jadeja said he wasn't scared that West Indies had big hitters in their ranks like Kieron Pollard and Chris Gayle.

"It is always better to think what I can do and not worry about batsmen. I was able to bowl a straightforward line and the batsmen made the mistakes," Jadeja said, adding India's biggest plus was their fielding.

"All our fielders are very good. We don't have a single player whom we need to hide in the field. We have the correct balance in the team and that's the biggest advantage for us," Jadeja said.

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