Enjoying batting at 5, thank Rohit Sharma for trusting me: Ravindra Jadeja

Returning to the side after an injury, India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja played an explosive innings to help India chase down the target of 184 against Sri Lanka comfortably in Dharamsala.

Jadeja smashed an unbeaten 45 off just 18 deliveries as India took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20 International (T20I) series against Sri Lanka. After the match, Jadeja said that he enjoys batting in the middle-order and thanked skipper Rohit Sharma for showing faith in him.

"Yes, I'm enjoying batting at number five. I can take my time and I can pace my innings according to the situation," Jadeja said at the post-match media interaction.

"I would like to thank Rohit because he trusts me and he believes in me that I can go out there and score runs for my team.

"So hopefully whenever I get an opportunity in the future I'll try and do my best, play according to the situation and be in the game for my team."

Even in the first T20I, Jadeja played at No, 4 but could not have much impact as he finished unbeaten on three. In the second game, India were reduced to 128 for 3 when Jadeja walked in with his team still requiring 56 in the last seven overs.

He had a well-set Shreyas Iyer (74*) for company at the other end.

"I am feeling better, I am confident and I am good to go. I am glad that I played a good innings for my team. Hopefully, I will continue in the same in the upcoming games," he said.

He said the wicket also helped a lot as the ball was coming nicely to the bat.

"Wicket was so good, the ball was coming on nicely and I was just looking to time the ball. I was not trying too hard. I was just looking to play normal cricketing shots. Shreyas has been batting really well. We tried to play till the end," he said about their 58-run unbroken stand from 25 balls.

Jadeja also praised comeback man Samson, who played a good innings before getting out in the 13th over. "He played brilliantly. When you play after a long time and score runs, you feel confident. Hopefully, he continues in the upcoming games." 

The third and final T20I will be played later today (February 27) at the same venue.

(With inputs from PTI)