Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja said winning the match against South Africa in their World Cup 2023 encounter on Virat Kohli’s birthday was doubly special, but added there is no need for extra motivation for anyone in the team when they step out and represent the country on the field. Kohli made it special on Sunday, November 5 by equaling his idol Sachin Tendulkar’s world record of 49 ODI hundreds in a match-winning knock of 101 not out in 120 balls.
Jadeja also had a memorable day as he became the second Indian spinner to take a 5-wicket haul in a World Cup match after Yuvraj Singh. India was expected to face a stiff test against South Africa who were decimating their opposition in the lead-up to the big game in Kolkata. However, the much-anticipated top-of-the-table clash turned out to be a one-sided affair as India crushed South Africa by 243 runs handing the Proteas their biggest ODI defeat.
India posted 326 on a tricky pitch while South Africa were bowled out for 83 in just 27.1 overs as India was at their ruthless best. The hype around the match doubled as Virat Kohli celebrated his 35th birthday on Sunday. The Cricket Association of Bengal had made special arrangements to celebrate the occasion while the Eden Gardens crowd was dominated by No. 18 shirts as the stands at the iconic venue were packed to the rafters.
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Speaking to the press after India’s sensational win, Ravindra Jadeja responded to a question from a reporter who asked the all-rounder if there was extra motivation for the players because of Kohli’s 35th birthday. “Birthday and playing for India are not related to each other. The moment we put on our India jerseys, each day is a birthday for us because very few people get an opportunity to wear the Indian jersey. See, if we win on anyone’s birthday, it becomes double special,” Ravindra Jadeja said.
The all-rounder, who hit a quickfire 29 before spinning a web around the South Africa batters with the ball, said players getting to personal milestones during a major tournament like the World Cup is only good for the team.
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“There is no special thing (for Virat Kohli’s milestone) planned as of now. Whatever, 49th of the 50th hundred, it’s all benefiting India only. So. let it continue. This is an important tournament, the World Cup is happening in India. Whoever scores runs, takes wickets, it’s good for us. Let it carry on, don’t jinx it,” he added, cracking up the press room in Kolkata.
Ravindra Jadeja rated Virat Kohli’s hundred as one of his top knocks, saying the pitch was not as easy as it looked for batting at the Eden Gardens. Virat Kohli took 119 balls to get to his hundred, stitching a patient partnership with Shreyas Iyer who made 77 off 87. India raced off to a terrific start as Rohit Sharma went berserk in the powerplay, helping the team post 91 in the first 10 overs. However, the South African spinners, especially Keshav Maharaj, choked the flow of runs in the middle period.
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“This hundred will be special for him, it was tough. The pitch was tough, at one point, 250-260 looked okay for us. At that time, rotating strike or hitting boundaries consistently was very challenging. It’s special for him because there was a time when runs were not coming freely, their spinners were keeping it tight. From then on, to score and be not out and take the team past 300 is a big achievement and a big effort from him,” Ravindra Jadeja added.
India will look to make it an unbeaten run in the group stage of the World Cup when they take on the Netherlands in Bengaluru on November 12.
