"It's your problem if you don't understand the language he spoke" - Aakash Chopra on the Ravindra Jadeja press conference controversy in BGT 2024-25

Aakash Chopra has opined that Ravindra Jadeja wasn't obliged to answer in English in a recent press conference ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 fourth Test. He noted that it's the media persons' problem if they don't understand Hindi.

The fourth Test of the five-match series between India and Australia is scheduled to start in Melbourne on Thursday, December 26. The visitors were criticized when Jadeja recently did not take any questions from the Australian media and responded to the Indian journalists' questions only in Hindi.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra', the former India opener claimed that Jadeja was within his rights to respond only in Hindi.

"The last story is about the pitch-fixing. It has become a major point of discussion. There was a talk about the press conference as well. Firstly, his name is Ravindra Jadeja. He is not Ravi. There was a lot of discussion about why he answered only in Hindi and didn't take questions in English," he said (9:00).

"It's your problem if you don't understand the language he spoke. He is not obliged to answer the questions in English. Trust me, he is not. He is there to play and not to give interviews. Whether he came late that day, I am not privy to that, but a lot of fuss is created there," Chopra added.

The Indian media manager didn't allow Jadeja to take any questions from the Australian media contingent as he had to catch the team bus. A subsequent cricket match between the Indian and Australian media was also reportedly canceled.

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"That is a serious one" - Aakash Chopra on 'pitch-fixing' controversy ahead of BGT 2024-25 4th Test

India have been practicing in the nets in Melbourne over the last few days. [P/C: Getty]

In the same video, Aakash Chopra noted that India not being given ideal practice conditions is a bigger controversy.

"Along with that, the pitch controversy has started. That is a serious one. I don't care much about the press conference. However, the pitch is very, very important because that decides your preparation. We saw the visuals. Australia are getting pitches as they should be for practice," he said (10:25).

The cricketer-turned-commentator added that both teams should be given similar facilities.

"We are getting used and tired pitches where the bounce is uneven. Our philosophy is Atithi Devo Bhava. When you come to our place, we even give net bowlers, and you are doing pitch-fixing. You guys are not doing the right thing. Provide quality practice facilities to both the teams. Don't treat India as a visitor who doesn't deserve good practice or training facilities," Chopra observed.

As per the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) curator, pitches similar to the Test one are provided for practice only three days before the game. He noted that India consequently had to practice on relatively barren pitches in the initial few days of their net sessions.