Most of the Indian batsmen are not in good form or possess faulty techniques, and their problems have been exacerbated against a quality Australian bowling unit.
Cheteshwar Pujara has expressed his disappointment with Team India’s selection for the third Test in Brisbane. When India announced their XI for the game, they confirmed two changes: Akash Deep and Ravindra Jadeja came in and Harshit Rana and Ravichandran Ashwin came out.
Pujara is not happy with the omission of Ashwin, who bowled well in the previous Test, although he did not get many wickets. On ESPNcricinfo, Pujara pointed out the availability of three left-handed batsmen in the Australian batting unit against whom Ashwin could have been useful.
“I know he’s been picked as a hitter who can pitch a little bit. But, in Australian conditions, when you know that the opposition’s strong hitters are left-handed, Travis Head, Usman (Khawaja) and Alex Carey are all left-handed. So, you want your spinner to be there. Even if you look at the rough ones, they are mainly for righties, so the off-spinners will eventually come into play, even in the second inning.”
Ravindra Jadeja could not make a significant impact while bowling in the first innings as he was run out of wickets and conceded 95 runs in 23 overs at an economy rate of 4.10. He was India’s only wicketless bowler and could not provide control from his side.
Why did India select Ravindra Jadeja instead of Ravichandran Ashwin?
In terms of bowling skills, Ravichandran Ashwin is a better option and would have provided more control than Jadeja in the first innings. In fact, Ashwin used his craft brilliantly in Adelaide and bowled well despite having no real help from cover.
However, as Pujara pointed out, India could have included Ravindra Jadeja due to his superior batting experience. Jadeja has played numerous winners at home and away with the willow in recent years and will provide further depth to a shaky batting unit.
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Most of the Indian batsmen are not in good form or possess faulty techniques, and their problems have been exacerbated against a quality Australian bowling unit. Therefore, Jadeja can save India from collapse.
Still, India would have expected more from him as a bowler. There are another innings left and Jadeja will come into play more as a bowler in the second dig.
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