The curious case of the 'injured' Ravindra Jadeja ahead of the third Test between India and Australia has got everyone put on their Sherlock’s hat on, with what is brewing in the Indian team’s dressing room at the moment. Skipper Virat Kohli said that it was not about fitness, but the all-pace attack was a strategy. Coach Ravi Shastri contradicted his statement, and so did Saurashtra coach Sitanshu Kotak, but to Shastri’s claims.

The case went from nothing to become a molehill in no time; so much so that the BCCI had to step in and issue a clarifying statement about Ravindra Jadeja’s statement. It all began with when Virat Kohli answered this during the interview. Virat Kohli vs Tim Paine: Australia Skipper Enjoying Heated Exchange, Predicts Intense 'Hard' Cricket Against India in Boxing Day Test.

Kohli replied, “The all-pace attack in Perth was purely a matter of selection arising out of condition rather than fitness. Even spinner R Ashwin would have missed the Test even if he was fit,” when he was asked about why Jadeja was not in the playing XI of the second Test match at Perth.

Ravi Shastri, on the other hand, said, “Jadeja was not fully fit for the Perth Test as was carrying a minor shoulder stiffness due to domestic cricket. Problem with Jaddu was that he had taken an injection four days into coming to Australia because of some stiffness in his shoulder, and it took a while for that injection to settle down. So when you look at Perth, we felt he was about 70-80 percent fit, and we didn’t want to risk that.”

Well, this didn’t go well with Jadeja’s Saurashtra team coach Sitanshu Kotak. He was quick in dismissing Shastri’s claims. Anil Kumble Picks Mayank Agarwal and Hanuma Vihari As Openers for India Team Ahead Boxing Day Test Against Australia: Read His First XI Here.

Kotak said, “There was no fitness issue at all when he (Jadeja) was playing for Saurashtra. Neither there was any stiffness which you are talking about. Had there been any stiffness or any injury he would have not played Ranji Trophy, or at least he would have told us.”

Eventually, the BCCI had to step in and clear the air. The Indian cricket board steered away from all the controversies and released a statement confirming Jadeja’s availability for the third Test match at MCG. Hardik Pandya Bowls for the First Time After Injury, Check out the Pics of Team India Practice Session Ahead of 2018 Boxing Day Test.

BCCI in its statement said, “All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja complained of a left shoulder discomfort after prolonged bowling spells during 2018, West Indies ODI series. He underwent a guided injection in Mumbai for this on 2nd November.”

It further reads, “This gave Mr Jadeja good relief of his symptoms and he played in the Ranji Trophy match for Saurashtra from 12 to 15 November in which he completed 64 overs without any issues. He was thereby declared fit by the BCCI and selected for the Test series against Australia.”

Well, given how things have been in the past 12 months, there have been a lot of loose comments given by those in the Indian team management. Not too long ago, the head coach of the Indian team was caught saying loose comments on camera. Ravi Shastri Defends Virat Kohli’s on-field Antics Ahead of Boxing Day Test at MCG, Says ‘He is an Absolute Gentleman’.

A while earlier, Ravi Shastri had stoked a controversy saying the current Indian team was the best travelling team in the last 15-20 years. A statement which didn’t go down with former cricketers and fans alike. The way how the Indian team has performed in overseas Tests on the last three foreign tours, the comment was more than exaggeration.

The performances of the Indian bowlers have largely improved. However, the batting displays except for few string performances here and there, the batting line-up has largely failed on foreign soil. Ravi Shastri Uses 'Indecent' Words During an Interview After India’s Hard-Fought Win Over Australia in Adelaide, Watch Video.

Agree or not, Ravi Shastri has been on the wrong side of the press, former cricketers, and most importantly, the fans for quite a long time now. Not many have been able to forget the episode where Anil Kumble had to step down as the head coach of the Indian team, because of differences with Virat Kohli, and how Shastri replaced the former Indian spinner.

With all said and done, it would be only fair if the Indian think-tank sticks to the context of the series and not pay much attention to the off-field talks. Because no matter how chirpy you are off the field, it is the on-field performance that will matter. Ravi Shastri vs Sunil Gavaskar: Did the Indian Coach Take a Jibe at Former Cricketer & Commentator?

India will be playing against Australia in the third Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Whether Jadeja plays or not, or how the Indian team performs in the Boxing Day Test, is what will be counted later on, and not contradictory or loose comments which stoke uncalled for controversies.

Disclaimer: The article is not written to hurt the public image of any individual mentioned in the article. We at LatestLY do not intend to hurt or insult any person’s sentiment involved.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 24, 2018 03:43 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).