Jadeja: 'It's not just Ashwin's responsibility to take wickets'

Ravichandran Ashwin picked just two wickets for 167 runs in the first innings. But Rajkot homeboy Ravindra Jadeja says that it isn't just Ashwin's responsibility to take wickets. "There are five bowlers, and that includes me and all have the responsibility to take wickets."

Ravindra Jadeja bowled 30 overs and picked three wickets in the first innings.

Ravindra Jadeja, who sent down 30 overs in the first innnings and picked three wickets, said India has its task cut out on the third and fourth days of the first Test here.

"Whatever runs on the board, we have to score. Tomorrow is crucial, we have to play positive cricket. Play according to the merit of the ball and not plan too much," he said.

"As the game progresses, the wicket will be a little slow. After two days, there will be footmarks and the ball will turn," he said, "The centre part is still the same, but the sides will assist slow turn. Hopefully the wicket remains the same."

Listen to Jadeja's interaction with the media

Jadeja shrugged off a question about mounting pressure on the other bowlers with Ravichandran Ashwin not able to strike after the first session on Wednesday. "Nothing like that. There are five bowlers, and that includes me and all have the responsibility to take wickets. It’s not just Ashwin’s responsibility. On a (particular) day, good bowlers don’t take wickets. Half-chances and catches are dropped. It is part of the game."

On Wriddhiman Saha's dropped catches of Ben Stokes, he said: "Ben played really well, according to the merit of the ball. He was struggling a bit against Umesh (Yadav). After that, he was played calmly. In cricket, catches are dropped. He got a 100. Stokes got a lot of chances. It is part of the game, it happens with everyone. It is nothing new."