CRICKET
Three reasons why India need not be concerned with Ravindra Jadeja’s injury for Test series against England
India will be without the services of Ravindra Jadeja in the 2nd Test and probably for the rest of the series. The star cricketer sustained a hamstring tear in the 1st Test and will not be in action for a couple of months. It acts as a big blow for India without a doubt considering the balance Jadeja brings to the home side as a multi-utility cricketer.
With the bat, the Southpaw can bat lower down the order and add a lot of runs. The star batter has been in good form with the bat in the longest format of the game since 2018. There have been times when Jadeja saved India from incredible collapses with his batting performances. The experienced batter can play long innings with the bat.
Similarly, he is an asset with the ball as well. The left-arm orthodox spinner can land the ball on the shoebox and get to turn it away from the right-handers. He also has a straighter one which is difficult to play on rank turners. Despite not having an arm ball, Jadeja is a threatening bowler due to his pace. Everyone knows that Jadeja is one of the best fielders in the world.
Yet, India need not be worried about Jadeja’s injury ahead of the last four Tests against England. Here are the three reasons for the same.
3. Home record
India (Source: X)
India has an insane record at home in the last 25 years or so. In that period, India has lost matches only to South Africa, Pakistan, England, and Australia. SA, Australia, and England are the only three teams to beat India in a Test series as well and have been able to achieve the feat only once. In the last ten years, India have not lost a Test series at home and have lost only four Test matches. Going by the records, it is evident that India must not be worried about missing a key player.
2. Ability to win without key players
India (Source: X)
In the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2020/21, India did the unthinkable. Without key players like Virat Kohli, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and others, India won the Test match at the Gabba. Relatively younger players like Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar, Mohammad Siraj, T Natarajan, and others helped India to win the match. The senior batters like Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara were themselves out of form. India knows how to win Tests when being written off.
1. Able replacements
India (Source: X)
India have replacements for Jadeja in their lineup. Washington Sundar is being called up in the absence of Jadeja. The youngster can bat better than the star cricketer and be useful with the ball. With the ball, India has the likes of Kuldeep Yadav and Saurabh Kumar, who can be handy as well. There are pure batters in the lineup like Sarfaraz Khan and Rajat Patidar, who can step up when asked to. Hence, India need not worry much about the injury of Jadeja, although it would be a big miss.