Jayant looks like he belongs to the highest level: Sourav Ganguly

Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly looked highly impressed with the way Jayant Yadav performed. Team India registered a thumping win against England in the Vizag Test. Yadav, who made his debut, showed grit not just with ball but also with the bat. No wonder why Ganguly heaped praised at the young Haryana off-spinner.

In an exclusive with the ESPNcricinfo, Sourav Ganguly spoke at length about the various prospects of using Jayant Yadav in the longer run. He cited how Yadav can give India a luxury to play with 5 bowlers. He was highly impressed with the way Jayant managed to settle his nerves on his debut. Such was his composure that Ganguly believes Yadav looked like belonging to the highest level.

“Yadav looks like he belongs at the highest level – he looked solid when he came out to bat, and bowled good lines too. If he keeps performing with the ball, that will allow India the luxury to play with five bowlers in future,” quoted Sourav Ganguly.

He further pointed out the overseas conditions being the only tours when Yadav might find it tough to make it to the team. The reason is clear. India usually plays with just one frontline spinner in overseas series. Thus the choice will usually be Ravichandran Ashwin. However, the batting caliber of Jayant Yadav can come to his rescue in such conditions.

Also read – Biggest positive is the way the fast bowlers bowled and Jayant Yadav: Virat Kohli

“The problem Yadav might have to face is when India travel abroad. Yadav may not always get a game as India would prefer to go with only one frontline off-spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin. But having said that, with Jayant Yadav at nine, it provides India depth in batting and will be a good for India’s team combination in future,” the former Indian skipper quoted.

Talking further about the offie, Sourav Ganguly believes that the team management must groom the off-spinner well. They should ensure that Yadav believes that he is always in the mix of things. When R Ashwin calls it quits or is injured, India can bank on Yadav.

He quoted, “Jayant is a good kid, and it’s important for Virat Kohli, Anil Kumble and the selectors to keep him interested, and make sure that he keeps improving. It will help the team in the long run as whenever Ashwin is finished with his career or even injured, you know you have a Test-ready off-spinner to fall upon to. Jayant has  a great temperament, and he will only get better with time.”

Ganguly also praised Mohammad Shami, who bagged crucial breakthroughs in the second innings. He expects Shami to come up good in the Mohali Test in case the chips are down for the hosts.

“I am very happy with Shami’s performance. Historically, fast bowlers have done well in Indian conditions since the pressure to wickets is always on the spinners and not on the pacers. I will be really happy if Shami picks up five wickets for India in say a Mohali when they lose a toss. That is when we can say that Shami had truly become India’s frontline fast bowler,” Ganguly conceded.