Former India opener Aakash Chopra has spoken about the controversy surrounding all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja's recent press conference ahead of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. Chopra even stated that it is the media people's problem if they don't understand Hindi.
The Indian team is currently in Melbourne preparing for the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The Men in Blue are training hard in the nets as the players look to give it their all in the remaining matches.
While speaking in a video on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra spoke about the controversy surrounding Ravindra Jadeja's press conference. First, he made it clear that he is 'Ravindra Jadeja' and not 'Ravi Jadeja'. Journalists in the Western media often call the ubiquitous man by the wrong name – Ravi Jadeja.
“The latest story is about pitch-fixing. It has become a major talking point. The press conference has also been talked about. First of all, his name is Ravindra Jadeja. He is not Ravi. There has been a lot of discussion about why he only responded in Hindi and did not take questions in English,” said Chopra.
The former India cricketer further defended Ravindra Jadeja saying that he is there to play cricket and not to give interviews. He argued that the problem with reporters is if they don't understand Hindi and the problem has been over-elaborated by the Australian media.
“It's your problem if you don't understand the language he spoke. He's not required to answer questions in English. Trust me, he's not. He's there to play and not give interviews. Whether he came late in the day that. , I'm not aware of it, but it's creating a lot of commotion there,” he reckoned.
What was the controversy?
Ravindra Jadeja recently held a press conference at the MCG where he answered questions from Indian journalists in Hindi, but refused to answer any questions from the Australian media. Since then, he has been criticized for disrespecting journalists in a press conference.
It was later found that the Indian team manager did not allow Ravindra Jadeja to answer questions from Australian reporters as the policeman was running late to catch the team bus. A match to be played later between India and Australia media was also called off after this incident.
Ravindra Jadeja did not play the first two Tests but did play the Gabba Test. He was not impressive with the ball but scored an excellent 77 with the bat which helped India avoid the follow on.
Aakash Chopra slams Australia for pitch-fixing
Aakash Chopra also shared his views on the field-fixing controversy in Australia. Recently, the Indian team was given the pitches used by the Big Bash for practice, rather than the fresh pitch that was given to the Australian team.
Chopra was highly critical of Australia's approach and asked them to provide adequate facilities to ensure an even game. He even claimed that India does not do such things when Australia comes to play matches.
“I have seen the pictures. Australia gets pitches as they should be for practice. We are used and tired pitches where the bounce is uneven. Our philosophy is Atithi Devo Bhava. When you come to us, we even provide net bowlers and you are pitch-fixing,” noted Aakash Chopra.
“You guys are not doing the right thing. Provide quality training facilities to both teams. Don't treat India as a visitor who doesn't deserve good training or training facilities,” the former India opener added.
The series is currently level at 1-1 with two more Tests to play. The Boxing Day Test will be played from December 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The fifth test will be played in Sydney.