Former India international Aakash Chopra has opened up on the controversy surrounding pacer Ravindra Jadeja's recent press conference ahead of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. Chopra even stated that it is a problem for media professionals if they do not 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 at the nets as the players look to give their all in the remaining matches.
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While speaking in a video on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra spoke about the controversy surrounding Ravindra Jadeja's press conference. First, he clarifies that he is “Ravindra Jadeja” and not “Ravi Jadeja”. Journalists in Western media often call this person by the wrong name – Ravi Jadeja.
“The latest story is about pitch-fixing. It has become a major discussion point. There was talk about the press conference as well. First, his name is Ravindra Jadeja. He is not Ravi. There was a lot of discussion.” Why did he answer only in Hindi and not the questions in English,” Chopra said.
The former Indian cricketer also defended Ravindra Jadeja saying that he is there to play cricket and not give interviews. He claimed that it is a problem for reporters if they do not understand Hindi and the issue has been taken up a lot by the Australian media.
“It's your problem if you don't understand the language he speaks. He's not obligated to answer questions in English. Believe me, he's not. He's there to play, not to give interviews. Whether he came in late that day he added: “I'm not privy to that, but there There's a lot of noise going on there.”
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 take any questions from the Australian media. He has since been criticized for disrespecting journalists at a press conference.
Later, it came to light that the Indian team manager did not allow Ravindra Jadeja to take any questions from the Australian reporters as the racer was running late to catch the team bus. The match that was supposed to be held between the Indian and Australian media was also later canceled after this incident.
Ravindra Jadeja did not play the first two Tests but played the Gabba Test. He was not impressive with the ball but scored an excellent 77 with the bat which helped India avoid a follow-on.
Aakash Chopra criticizes Australia for pitch manipulation
Aakash Chopra also shared his views on the pitch-fixing controversy in Australia. Recently, the Indian team was given the stadiums used in the Big Bash to practice instead of the new stadiums given to the Australian team.
Chopra strongly criticized Australia's approach and asked them to provide adequate facilities to ensure a level playing field. He even claimed that India does not do such things when Australia comes to play matches.
“We have seen the pictures. Australia are getting the pitches as they should be in training. We are used to pitches where the bounce is uneven. Our philosophy is Atithi Devo Bhava. When you come to our place, we give net bowlers, you “You manipulate the field.”
“You are not doing the right thing. Provide quality training facilities to both teams. Don't treat India as a visitor who does not deserve good training or training facilities,” the former Indian player added.
The series is currently at 1-1 with two more Tests to be played. The Boxing Day Test will be played from December 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The fifth Test will be played in Sydney.