Following a loss in the Hyderabad Test to England, yet another challenge faces Team India. Key players Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul weren’t just benched—they were entirely skipped for the second Test.
Despite a strong lead in the first innings, the tides turned. Unexpectedly, Ollie Pope and newbie Tom Hartely outran Team India. This surprised the hosts and led to their defeat.
The damage to Jadeja and Rahul complicates the mission for Rohit Sharma’s team. The goal is to even out the five-match series, which has turned into a tough challenge.
“Jadeja sustained a hamstring injury during play on Day 4 of the first Test in Hyderabad, while Rahul complained of right quadriceps pain,” BCCI stated in a media release.
India’s cricket team, the BCCI, recently added Sarfaraz Khan, Saurabh Kumar, and Washington Sundar. They’re a batsman, a left-arm spinner, and an all-rounder.
KL Rahul being gone is a setback. But losing Ravindra Jadeja might hit harder. He’s helped the team win Test matches.
Next, we talk about how Jadeja’s injury could hurt India’s game. This is about the second Test versus England. The match is set in Visakhapatnam, scheduled for February 2.
Three reasons why Ravindra Jadeja’s injury is a significant setback to India.
#3. Structure of the side will get disturbed
Ravindra Jadeja’s Test batting record since 2018 has been a significant boost for India. Jadeja has averaged 45.7 since his return to Kennington Oval in 2018, despite batting at number six or below.
With Jadeja’s batting developing by leaps and bounds, the squad began to push for No. 6 at home to provide an extra bowling option and depth to their batting order.
This decision allows India to field two seamers at home with three strong spinners, with Axar Patel batting at number nine.
Now that Jadeja is missing for the second Test, it will be fascinating to watch how the team is structured.
#2. The left-hander conundrum
The Indian middle-order batting lineup is largely right-handed, with Ravindra Jadeja wedged in the middle.
With Jadeja out, England may aim to capitalize on this matchup with their in-form left arm spinner Tom Hartley and leg spinner Rehan Ahmed.
With no left-hander to counter these two in the middle order, Hartley may once again have a decent opportunity against Indian batters, given his ability to flip the ball at a fair pace and control.
#1. Ravindra Jadeja’s impeccable bowling record in home Tests
India would lose Jadeja not just as a middle-order batsman, but also as a bowler, which the team sorely needs to recover in the second Test.
Jadeja has taken 199 wickets in India, including 10 five-wicket hauls at an average of 21.9.
On helpless surfaces, Jadeja becomes practically unplayable, as he can keep batters wondering which one will straighten and which will turn, with no noticeable change in grip.
He also bowls faster through the air than other left-arm spinners, which makes him more dangerous.
Ravindra Jadeja is also more patient while bowling on spinner-unfriendly surfaces, something India will lack against England’s batting order in Vizag.