Ravindra Jadeja is not a frontline spinner in English conditions: Greg Chappell

Greg Chappell asserted that "Ravindra Jadeja is not a frontline spinner in English conditions," implying that the all-rounder's effectiveness as a primary spin option is significantly diminished due to the nature of pitches and weather in England.

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By Rui
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Ravindra Jadeja is not a frontline spinner in English conditions: Greg Chappell

Former Team India head coach Greg Chappell has stated that the Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja shouldn’t be used as a frontline spinner in English conditions. Notably, Jadeja failed to create an impact in the Leeds Test.

After bowling 47 overs in the opening Test in Leeds, Jadeja managed to scalp only one wicket, which turned out to be a major reason behind India’s five-wicket defeat. Moreover, Jadeja didn’t utilize the rough that was created on Day 5 to disturb the opposition batters. 

"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," he 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.

Furthermore, the former Australian batter Brad Haddin also stated that the Indian team might be seeing the decline of Jadeja in the playing XI. While he has been effective in the Indian conditions, he couldn’t replicate his heroics in overseas conditions. 

"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.

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