‘Sir’ title is a joke, says Ravindra Jadeja

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Calling it a ‘joke’, ‘Sir’ Ravindra Jadeja says he has no problem with the prefix before his name as long as his Chennai Super Kings and India teammates are enjoying the all-rounder’s ‘knighthood’.

“I think it is a joke and we are enjoying. Nothing serious in that matter. I don’t think I am a great man. I just want to be what I am right now. I am not seriously thinking about the title ‘Sir’ and all that. It's okay as everybody is enjoying in the team and it’s fine,” he said.

The 24-year-old led Chennai Super Kings to a thrilling last-ball win over Royal Challengers Bagalore in the Indian Premier League yesterday.

“In the last over we needed 16, so we were thinking that whatever will be in our reach we will go for them. (M.S.) Dhoni had got out in the penultimate over so we thought what would happen. But (Dwayne) Bravo, (Chris) Morris and I backed ourselves and won the game off the last ball.”

Chennai have been pulling off such close matches quite frequently, and Jadeja attributed it to the presence of quality all-rounders in the side. “The thing is that we have got good allrounders. Bravo, (Albie) Morkel, Morris and I. There are four all-rounders so our batting is good and till number nine everybody can bat.

“We also have two genuine fast bowlers. Therefore we get advantage in the first six–seven overs as they don’t give away much. In the middle overs, at times, our batting gets a bit slow but we are working on it. We will concentrate on singles and doubles.”

Bucking the trend of letting R. Aswhin have a go at Chris Gayle, Chennai yesterday handed over the ball to Dirk Nannes and Morris when the West Indian was at the crease.

“It was a good wicket to bat on. Earlier days the wicket used to turn a bit more but this year none of the spinners have been able to turn or beat the bat. It is dependent on the wicket. In T20 you usually get these kind of flat wickets. “Gayle is such a batsman that he can hit any bowler in any ground for a six. Therefore, we were thinking that for him we will have a different strategy to not give him runs and take his wicket.”