Jason Holder is the most underrated all-rounder currently in the world: Sachin Tendulkar

The entire world is set to witness the resumption of cricket as England and West Indies are slated to lock horns in a three-match Test series, starting from July 8 (Wednesday). Considering the stern atmosphere across the world, the series holds the utmost importance as international cricket will be played after a considerable gap of 116 days.

In the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, the Test series will also unfold a few new rules including the much-debated saliva ban. Furthermore, squads of both sides will stay in a biosecure bubble during the course of the series.

Ahead of the much-awaited first Test at Southampton, former India batsman Sachin Tendulkar has said that he thinks Windies skipper Jason Holder is probably the most underrated all-rounder currently in the world. The ‘Little Master’ pointed out Holder’s vital contribution in both the departments and said that he is a ‘terrific’ player to have in any side.

Holder is a terrific player to have in your team: Sachin Tendulkar

“Jason Holder is the most under-rated all-rounder, because on the field, maybe you will look at Kemar Roach or Shannon Gabriel, but Jason Holder only when you look at the scoreboard, you realise that he has come in and taken three wickets,” Tendulkar told Brian Lara during the chat on Master Blaster’s app ‘100 MB’.

“When he is batting, he has scored those crucial 50-55 runs when it mattered, he is an underrated player but he contributes on a regular basis, he is a terrific player to have in your team,” he added.

West Indies haven’t won a series in England since 1988, something that Jason Holder and his troops will aim to change this time. During the interaction, West Indies legend Brian Lara also labelled Holder’s captaincy as ‘critical’. Holder, with 473 points,  is only the second West Indies player after Sir Garry Sobers to hold the No.1 ranking among Test all-rounders.

Holder has been at the top since January 2019, while England’s captain for the first Test– Ben Stokes– in second in the list with 407 points. Stokes has been assigned the captaincy duties in the first Test due to the absence of Joe Root. Root is going to be with his wife to attend the birth of his second child.