Take Ravindra Jadeja as a batting all-rounder overseas

The Indian cricket team may still be wondering about ‘what ifs’ in the third Test at Lord’s but they will likely have an eye on the fourth Test that begins next Wednesday at Old Trafford in Manchester.

Following a fighting performance on a difficult pitch at Lord’s, where they lost by 22 runs, they wouldn’t likely talk much about more than one change in the squad. That probably would be about bringing in Kuldeep Yadav.

He could very well replace Jasprit Bumrah if the fast bowler decides to sit out of the fourth Test due to workload management.

Kuldeep, in fact, should be India’s No. 1 choice as spinner in overseas conditions considering that Ravindra Jadeja hasn’t done much with ball especially in England.

Even though the southpaw from Saurashtra has improved leaps and bounds with the bat, as shown in the last four innings, his bowling has been ineffective.  

Jadeja’s batting average in Australia and England has jumped to 36.66 and 43.31 respectively in the period of July 16, 2020 to July 15, 2025 from the 30 (Australia) and 30.66 (England) in previous 7-plus years – the period of his debut in December, 2012 till July 15, 2020.

He has batted just once in South Africa and hasn’t played in New Zealand in the last five years.

But the spike in batting average in England and Australia and not great returns with the ball there suggests that he should be considered more of a batting all-rounder in AUSANZEN circuit (Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and England), that is, in conditions where Indian finger spinners find bowling tougher than home.  

“He is used to batting in tough situations. But he has improved a lot with the bat because the team management is showing confidence in his batting. When he’d bat at No. 7 or below, he didn’t have much time. But now, they are sending him at No. 6 and that has helped  him gain confidence,” says Niraj Odedra, the coach of Saurashtra from where Jadeja hails.

The presence of Sitanshu Kotak as batting coach may have also helped him gain confidence. Both gel well.                                                                    

India’s batting that extends till No. 8 appears more of a stretch as it means the lack of a wrist spinner, who can be useful in England.  

If Bumrah plays the next Test, it may be wise to drop either Nitish Reddy or Washington Sundar (despite their good performances) and include Kuldeep. If Bumrah doesn’t, then Kuldeep should come straightaway.  Jadeja cannot be relied upon as the frontline spinner in AUSANZEN region as was proved in the first Test when he failed on a fifth day wicket. 

Tags : Indian cricket team, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Washington Sundar, Old Trafford, Manchester