Ashton Agar names 'rockstar' Jadeja his favourite player

Australia’s left-arm spinner Ashton Agar on Saturday (February 22) revealed how a chat with India’s all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja inspired him to give match-winning performances and described him as a “rockstar”.

The 26-year-old hat-trick hero said the Indian spin bowler is his favourite player and their chat during Australia’s ODI tour of India last month helped him ahead of his five-wicket stint against South Africa at the Wanderers.

Agar registered a hat-trick in a five-dismissals haul to guide Australia to a massive 107-run victory over South Africa in the first T20 International on Friday (February 21).

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“I had a wonderful chat with Ravindra Jadeja after the India series. And just talking to him about spin bowling, (he said to) keep trying to spin the ball. So I was pretty inspired by talking to him,” Agar said.

The Australian said he would love to play like Jadeja as he’s an absolute rockstar and his presence on the field boosts Agar’s confidence.

“He’s my favourite player in the world – I want to play cricket like he does. He’s an absolute rockstar. He smacks them, gun fielder and spins the ball. But it’s just his presence when he’s out there, watching him filled me with confidence. When (he’s) batting, he has a really positive attitude and he takes that attitude into the field as well,” he was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

(With inputs from agencies)