If Virat Kohli’s side can only select one spinner in South Africa, Aakash Chopra believes Ravindra Jadeja would edge out R Ashwin for a spot in the starting XI.
In the just finished series against New Zealand, Ashwin named Player of the Series for his outstanding wicket-taking performance. However, the off-spinner forced to miss all of England’s Tests earlier this year. As Jadeja favoured for his batting.
“It’s a toughy, it’s a very very tough one – who will they want to pick? One spinner – Ashwin should play but Jadeja might end up playing. Just because of the balance, not because Jadeja can give you more wickets than Ashwin.” he said
If the visitors elect to play five bowlers, Jadeja’s greater batting skills may just give him the edge over Ashwin. According to the former India batsman. Aakash Chopra
Rishabh Pant
“If you are going to go with five batters and Rishabh Pant at six, you will need a batter at No.7. Can Ashwin play at No.7 – he can but is it too high – maybe it is. Can Jaddu play – yes he can. Is it too high for him – maybe not.” chopra explained
“So here Jadeja’s role becomes bigger. So you will play Jaddu, you will play Shardul and then three fast bowlers. Who will be three proper fast bowlers – Siraj, Bumrah and Shami. Then you have got Shardul at eight and Jadeja at seven.” he added
In the normally seamer-friendly conditions in South Africa. It will be intriguing to see if Kohli and Rahul Dravid stick to the five-bowler philosophy. If they opt to play four seamers in their five-prong attack, Ashwin is likely to be left out.
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