Ravindra Jadeja On Vice-Captaincy: ‘Very Special For Me As A Player’

Team India started off their home Test season in the best possible fashion today in Ahmedabad, dominating West Indies on day one of the first Test, but the day was extra-special for Ravindra Jadeja, who made his official debut as vice-captain of the Indian Test Team. 

Rishabh Pant is the designated vice-captain for the Indian Test side but, in his absence, Jadeja was announced as Shubman Gill’s deputy ahead of the series, a move that came as somewhat of a surprise.

Jadeja revealed how he was pleasantly surprised by the announcement, as he had little idea he was going to be handed the ‘VC’ tag.

“They didn’t say anything to me. They just announced the team and I saw that besides my name the VC is written, so I was very happy,” Jadeja said in a video posted by bcci.tv.

“And as a player, you always gain confidence whenever you see some kind of gesture from the management, captain and coach. At the end of the day, you are always happy to do good and share your experience with the team.”

A veteran of 86 Tests, Jadeja described being made vice-captain a ‘very special moment’ in his career. Jadeja has been one of India’s best red-ball players in the last decade, but this is the first time he’s been handed leadership responsibilities.

“It’s very special for me as a player. They gave me respect because the management, captain, and coach have decided to give me some extra responsibility,” he said. 

“I am very happy to do it and whenever the team needed my experience and needed me to say anything regarding planning, I am always happy to do it.”

It was light work on the day for vice-captain Jadeja, who was required to bowl only three overs. The left-hander is in the form of his life with the bat in hand, and would be hoping to post yet another big score on day two.