‘So unnecessary’: India slammed over ‘petulant’ press conference snub

Tensions between Australia and India have flared again after an Indian player was caught in ugly scenes at a press conference.

Tensions are high ahead of the Boxing Day Test after one of India’s players had another awkward run-in with Australian media.

On Saturday, the Indian team held a press conference at the MCG with Ravindra Jadeja, and Australian media were also invited to hear from the Indian all-rounder.

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But Jadeja only spoke in Hindi to Indian media, leaving local Australian reporters frustrated and wondering why they bothered turning up.

Australian journalists could be heard asking “Can we get one in English?” as Jadeja walked away from the microphones.

But an Indian team manager said that wouldn’t be possible, explaining they were running late for the team bus.

One journalist was heard saying: “What’s the point, we didn’t have one question in English. It’s disorganised and hopeless.”

Wisden reports the press conference was originally just for travelling Indian media, but Australian media became aware of the presser and attended, which is usually not an issue.

Reports claiming Jadeja “refused” to answer questions in English have angered Indian media and fans.

Ravi Jadeja only spoke in Hindi at a press conference. Photo: X.

Jadeja’s English isn’t as proficient as some other Indian players, but he was seen chatting to Nathan Lyon in the stands at the Gabba during a rain delay in the third Test.

The Daily Telegraph’s Dean Ritchie wrote on X: “PETULANT & SURLY … Aren’t India wonderful ambassadors for their country and Test cricket.

“Ravi Jadeja faced media today but refused to answer questions in English. India media later said conference was for “travelling Indian media only”, despite Australian media being invited.”

Cricket commentator Bharat Sundaresan shared Channel 9’s report about the press conference, writing on X: “So unnecessary. All of it.”

Ravindra Jadeja not answering in English.

Wow, really?

Needless controversy, and quietly recording and airing conversations is so not on. You can have your differences, issues but there is a way to do that. Never seen anything like this before. Comical 😂

— Sahil Malhotra (@Sahil_Malhotra1) December 21, 2024

Australian media are upset over Ravindra Jadeja as the Indian cricketer spoke only in Hindi and didn’t take any questions from the Australian media during a recent presser.

📸: 9News#BGT2024#RavindraJadeja#CricketTwitterpic.twitter.com/rtGS5z727P

— InsideSport (@InsideSportIND) December 21, 2024

Jadeja played his first game of the series at the Gabba and his crucial knock of 77 helped India secure the draw.

The 36-year-old is set to play a major role in the remaining two Tests following the retirement of fellow veteran spinner Ravi Ashwin mid series.

The press conference incident comes after Virat Kohli bristled at TV reporters at Melbourne airport, urging them not to film his family members.

Kohli was seen in a couple of heated exchanges with journalists and took exception to cameras capturing images of his children.

“With my kids I need some privacy, you can’t film without asking me,” he said.After further discussions with the media, Kohli seemed to be appeased and his children are not seen in the footage that has been aired.

Ravindra Jadeja at an Indian training session at the MCG. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Tensions between the two sides had cooled since Mohammed Siraj’s send-off of Travis Head in the second Test in Adelaide, but the stakes are high with the series tied 1-1 heading into the Boxing Day Test.

India have strong recent records at the MCG and SCG and the tourists need just one more victory to ensure they retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Australia must win the series outright to reclaim the trophy for the first time since 2014-15.

South Africa currently lead the WTC standings, with Australia, India and New Zealand rounding out the top four.

The top two teams at the end of the 2023-25 schedule will face off in next year’s final, to be held at Lord’s in June. India lost last year’s WTC decider to Australia.