Bowlers have to have a big heart: Jayant Yadav

Aiming high: Jayant Yadav feels that while Delhi Daredevils is strong on paper, it will need to perform well on the field to make a fight of it in the IPL.

Aiming high: Jayant Yadav feels that while Delhi Daredevils is strong on paper, it will need to perform well on the field to make a fight of it in the IPL.   | Photo Credit: IPL

Jayant Yadav says that T20 cricket gives them equal opportunities

Jayant Yadav is an articulate young man who makes his point forcefully and with lot of thought behind his reasoning. The off-spinner is known to absorb pressure quickly and get down to the business of foxing batsmen swiftly.

As a spinner, he is expected to contain batsmen. A wicket or two can be a bonus on placid pitches. Does he feel the pressure when pitchforked into a challenging situation?

“Not necessarily. It depends on the individual per se. Bowlers have to have a very big heart in IPL or T20 cricket. It all depends on how you handle your spot in the team,” said the Delhi Daredevils all-rounder here on Wednesday.

“It is a batsman’s game but it also gives equal opportunity to the bowler to take a wicket and have an impact. It is rare in T20 cricket to see a five-wicket haul.

“Even the one important wicket can make the difference. It depends on how you analyse the scenario.”

Jayant has adapted to the team well. “I know it’s a new season. New team. Fresh preparation. New coach. IPL is a tournament where coach and captain matter a lot. Have to take on different teams, different compositions. Going into every match is a different challenge. Whatever chances I get, I would like to give performances that have an impact.”

Enjoying his stint with Australian coach Ricky Ponting, who does not mind explaining the same issue five times, Jayant said, “I just want to play quality cricket. If the comeback (to the Indian team) happens it would be a by-product of those good performances.

“Playing a good holistic game is what I am looking forward to.”

On the Daredevils team, he added, “We are a good team. On paper we have covered all over bases but you don’t play cricket on paper. We will strive and take one game at a time and play good cricket.”