‘Captaincy should be looked as opportunity’

Ajay Jadeja said captaincy should not be looked as a 'pressure job', but as an 'opportunity'.

Praising Mahendra Singh Dhoni for his leadership abilities, former India cricketer Ajay Jadeja said captaincy should not be looked as a ‘pressure job’, but as an ‘opportunity’.

“I like the look of him (Dhoni). He seems to be enjoying the job and is looking at it as a great job,” Jadeja said when asked about Dhoni’s captaincy in the ongoing Twenty20 World Cup and his selection as the ODI captain.

Jadeja said the current Indian side was a good unit.

“The bench strength should be there.”

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On the Indian Cricket League, Jadeja said it was a ‘good move’, which would bring in more competition.

“The ICL has made many promises and there is need to wait and see how they perform. More people in the field makes it more competitive. There is another opportunity to play,” he said.

On reports about Yuvraj being upset at not being selected as ODI captain, Jadeja said, “everybody cannot be happy. When you are playing for a team, all the 15 will not be happy. I don’t think that should make any difference.”

Jadeja, who was in Kochi to inaugurate the ticket sales for the second ODI between India and Australia to be played at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium on October 2, was all praise for medium-pacer S Sreesanth.

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“Everbody is looking at his aggressiveness and saying he should be controlled. But that is his strength,” he said.

Asked if India can reach the Twenty20 finals defeating Australia in the semifinals, he said: “To be honest, I did not expect that the Indian team would reach the semi-finals. I think the South African team was stronger. But India has reached the semis and hopefully they would sail through to the finals.” he added.