Top Comment/ 'He's made cricket easy for us': Gurbaz reveals Jadeja's big role in Afghanistan's win vs England

Afghanistan have risen above expectations, fueled by their newfound mentor, former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja. As a guiding force, Jadeja has proven to be an invaluable asset to the Afghan team at the Cricket World Cup 2023, providing them with insights into Indian cricket and helping them adapt to the challenging Indian conditions.

Jadeja, a former India batter with 15 Test and 196 ODI appearances under his belt, had been seen actively engaging with the Afghan cricketers during their training sessions at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. His mentorship has not only offered them valuable cricketing knowledge but also helped them cope with the pressures of high-stakes matches.

3 things you need to know 

• Afghanistan stunned England with a 69-run win in the World Cup 
• It marked Afghanistan's first-ever win against a full-member side in the WC
• Afghanistan named Jadeja as their team mentor for the World Cup 2023

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Afghans love Ajay Jadeja

Afghanistan's journey in the World Cup 2023 has been nothing short of remarkable. After suffering an eight-wicket defeat at the hands of India in Delhi, they bounced back with a spectacular 69-run victory over the defending champions, England, at the same venue. This remarkable win marked Afghanistan's first-ever triumph against a full-member side in World Cup history and their first win in the tournament since they defeated Scotland in 2015.
 

One of the Afghan players, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, expressed his gratitude for Jadeja's mentorship.

"He (Jadeja) is a man who always gives happiness to you. He's made cricket easy for us. He always says just go and enjoy. We love him, and he is someone special for us. He tells us to keep things simple, just go and enjoy. That's the most important tip for us," Gurbaz told Republic Media Network at the mixed zone.

India has played a pivotal role in Afghanistan's cricketing journey, offering the country a cricketing home away from home. Afghanistan's cricketers initially trained extensively in Pakistan and even took up the sport in refugee camps across the border. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) stepped in and played a crucial role in their development.

The Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater Noida became a temporary home ground for the Afghan team, with BCCI's support. Over the years, Afghanistan's cricket has gone from strength to strength, earning them Test status and regular appearances in ICC world events. The presence of Afghan players in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has further contributed to the sport's popularity in Afghanistan. The Afghan team has always acknowledged the significance of India's role in their development as a cricketing nation.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz also expressed their deep-rooted connection with India, saying, "We always say that India is our second home. We love the crowd and they give a lot of love to us, that’s the main reason we love India. And wherever we go, like in every city, they come for us and they cheer for us and support us. So we are really happy with all the crowd and of course, we respect the crowd coming from Afghanistan, from different parts to the ground."

Their victory against England was a dream come true for the Afghan team, as Gurbaz admitted, "Everyone had the dream to beat a team like this and in a competition like the World Cup. We have beaten one team before (Scotland) in the World Cup. That was a really nice moment for us and the entire Afghanistan nation. That was a big achievement."

Gurbaz's positivity and preparation for the game were evident in their performance. Although he missed out on hitting a hundred, his 57-ball 80 set the foundation for Afghanistan's memorable day in Delhi.

"My mindset was only one thing: just to be positive. I was really well prepared for that game - not only for that game, but for this competition. I was just trying to be positive against everyone. I think that was the reason I wasn't under pressure, trying to be pressure," Gurbaz said.