Greg Chappell says Ravindra Jadeja is not a front-line spinner in English conditions ahead of 2nd Test against England

Former Indian head coach Greg Chappell has questioned Ravindra Jadeja’s role with the ball in English conditions. Jadeja scored 11 runs in the first innings whereas he scored an unbeaten 25 in the second innings in the opening Test against England.

In both innings, Jadeja had to bat with the lower order and he didn’t receive support from the other end. The left-arm orthodox went wicketless in the first innings and could only take a single wicket in the second dig. 

Surprisingly, the experienced all-rounder could not utilise the rough outside the left-hander’s off-stump in the second innings and he was taken to the cleaners by Ben Duckett.

“Jadeja is not a front-line spinner in English conditions. If his batting is considered good enough, he can be a support spinner; otherwise a rethink is necessary. If India are to reverse their fortunes in this series then a better balanced team is required,” Greg Chappell wrote in his column for ESPN Cricinfo.

“I don’t agree that an extra batter who bowls should be selected as insurance against top-order collapses. The top six must be trusted to deliver the runs and that the best combination to secure the requisite 20 wickets is available to the captain,” he added.

On the other hand, former Australian wicket-keeper bat Brad Haddin also questioned Jadeja’s bowling.

“Are we seeing the decline of Ravindra Jadeja? I mean yes, he is effective in Indian conditions and how hard it is to play left-arm spin in India but I don’t think he is the best option to have in the team spin wise. I would look at Kuldeep. Someone who is an attacking spinner, who can get wickets. You’ve got a couple of hold-in bowlers. Siraj can play that role, but I think they need to be a bit more bold in their selection of bowlers,” Haddin said on the LiSTNR Sport podcast.

The second Test match between India and England will be played at Edgbaston, Birmingham from July 2nd onwards.