Former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja, 53, one of the men behind Afghanistan's recent cricketing success, mentored the team without accepting money for it, Afghanistan Cricket Board chief, Naseeb Khan, has revealed.
When the Afghanistan team was enjoying a memorable 2023 World Cup success, giving panic attacks even to top teams like Pakistan and Australia, Jadeja was working quietly behind the scenes, giving the boys the support they desperately needed at that time.
And he was doing it free of cost.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board insisted that Jadeja take payment, but he refused to do so, Afghan news channel Ariana quoted Khan as saying.
"If you play well, that's all the money and reward I need," Jadeja told the team, according to Khan.
The team did not let Jadeja down, finishing 6th in the 2023 World Cup, equalling Pakistan's performance with eight points, managing to beat the neighbouring country's team along with previous champion Sri Lanka and defending champions England in the process.
Australia too almost lost to them before recovering and going on to win the match
Known as the "safest pair of hands," for his fielding prowess, Jadeja played national and international cricket matches for India, and was part of the team that won the Asia Cup in 1995.
His experience playing national and international cricket won him the role as assistant coach/mentor.
Jadeja last played international cricket for India back in 2000 after 196 ODIs while averaging 37.47 and 15 Tests averaging 26.
He has also worked as a cricket commentator and pundit.
Afghanistan have put up an excellent performance in the T20 World Cup 2024, qualifying for the Super 8 stage after knocking out New Zealand, Uganda and PNG.
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