Ravindra Jadeja opens up on confidence struggles in early India career

Ravindra Jadeja has revealed that being pushed down the batting order early in his India career made him feel the team lacked confidence in his batting ability. The all-rounder, speaking ahead of the second day's play against Sri Lanka, said batting at No. 8 or 9 and sometimes below Ravichandran Ashwin left him 'disturbed'.

Jadeja, who averages over 60 in first-class cricket, said he questioned the team's faith when he saw fast bowlers preparing to bat ahead of him. 'I have seen that in my early days, that I didn't get that number. Very low, many times I even went in to bat below Ashwin.'

India are in a strong position after the rain-affected opening day, finishing on 288 for 2. Devdutt Padikkal scored a maiden Test century (131 not out), while KL Rahul made 77. Rishabh Pant is unbeaten on 27.