Afghanistan cricket team head coach Johnathan Trott lauded on Thursday the significant role played by the team mentor and former Indian captain Ajay Jadeja, even though he carries a "controversial" past.
Trott praised Jadeja as a vital "sounding board" as Afghanistan continues its quest for a spot in the World Cup semi-finals.
Afghanistan are set to face the Netherlands on Friday, aiming to secure a fourth win in seven games to maintain a strong position in the race for the last four.
Trott, who assumed the coaching role last year, highlighted Jadeja's valuable insights into Indian conditions, which have been pivotal in Afghanistan's successful campaign, featuring notable victories over defending champions England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
"Ajay brings a wealth of experience, having played a significant amount of cricket in India," Trott remarked, acknowledging Jadeja's contributions as a former middle-order batsman who represented his country in 196 ODIs and 15 Tests.
Despite Jadeja's past controversies, including a five-year ban imposed by the BCCI in 2000 as part of a match-fixing investigation, a ban subsequently overturned by a Delhi court, Trott emphasised his mentor's role.
"He's always a valuable source of insights regarding the conditions, venues, and also the other subcontinent teams we've encountered," Trott explained. "As a coach, having another set of experienced eyes on the players' preparations is extremely beneficial."
Trott stressed that Afghanistan's path to the semi-finals hinges on their performance on the field. After facing the Netherlands, they will confront five-time champions Australia on November 5 in Mumbai and South Africa on November 10 in Ahmedabad.
"We won't secure a spot in the semis simply by discussing it," Trott noted. "We must perform well on the field. Playing good cricket is our best chance of achieving that goal. It all begins tomorrow, and our start and finish tomorrow will be crucial."
Regarding the venue of Lucknow, where Afghanistan has had a base camp in the past, Trott noted that while the team has experience there, the pitch conditions for World Cup matches may differ, offering a fresh challenge.
