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Jadeja to captain and coach Rajasthan

Ajay Jadeja will take on a double role as captain and coach of Rajasthan

Cricinfo staff
23-Sep-2005


Double role for Ajay Jadeja © Getty Images
Ajay Jadeja will take on a double role as captain and coach of Rajasthan, which has been on a downward slide, in the coming Ranji season. The team was demoted from the Elite to the Plate division after a disastrous season last year. This comes in the wake of the recent appointment of Bob Simpson as cricket adviser of the side.
"Officials and players of the Rajasthan team felt that I had something to give to this team, which makes you feel important, gives you a challenge and makes you feel that you still have something to give back," said Jadeja. Speaking to NDTV, he said that he would push for better infrastructure for his team. "Why should Rajasthan cricketers not get the best facilities? I've seen and played cricket over the years and I feel that there are certain requirements. Cricketers should be looked after whether it's the ground or practice facilities or physical training. Cricketers here must get better treatment."
Earlier this year, Lalit Modi became the president of Rajasthan Cricket Association, ending a long-standing monopoly of the Rungtas. The new management hopes that the move to draft in Jadeja will help to reverse the continuing decline of the team. Hanumant Singh, Chairman of the Rajasthan Selection Committee, said:"He will give a lot of solidity and experience to the batting. He will lead from the front, players will look upto him."