Ravindra Jadeja should bat ahead of Ravichandran Ashwin in Australia series, says Ajit Agarkar

Former Indian bowler Ajit Agarkar feels Ravindra Jadeja should bat ahead of Ravichandran Ashwin during India’s tour of Australia later this year. Jadeja, who made a comeback to the Indian Test side during the England series, was impressive in his very first appearance. He subsequently got into India’s ODI setup after all-rounder Hardik Pandya suffered an acute back injury. Jadeja grabbed the opportunity with both hands and made a telling impact during the Asia Cup in September.

The all-rounder has also shone in the first Test at Rajkot between India and the Windies. Debutant Prithvi Shaw set the tone for the Indian innings with a fine century, which was matched by skipper Virat Kohli, who brought up his 24th Test ton. Wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant narrowly missed out on a second consecutive century, but Ravindra Jadeja finally got his maiden Test hundred on his home turf. His knock was laced with 5 boundaries and 5 massive sixes.

Jadeja’s ability to make his performance stand out with his impressive and refreshing batting techniques is what Ajit Agarkar thinks will place him ahead of Ravichandran Ashwin when India travels to Australia in November. Impressed with his knock, Agarkar praised Jadeja’s approach to batting. He added that the left-arm spinner could even be the lone Indian spinner in India’s playing XI when they take on the Australians.

Really good approach from Jadeja: Agarkar

“Jadeja surely seems to be in better form. Got that really good innings in the last Test match in England. Batted well in the Asia Cup…at certain stages. And is maybe making a real case. It is an interesting one actually. Probably will get a clearer picture when India reach Australia as to who their first choice spinner is. Because you would think they would go with one spinner and the way Jadeja has batted in these two Tests that he played surely he is ahead of Ashwin as far as batting is considered,” said the former Indian pacer in a conversation with ESPNcricinfo.

“I think his approach is quite refreshing. We have kind of associated Jadeja throughout his career with playing shots and almost sometimes getting himself out prior to playing too many shots. His approach (this time) has been really good. He actually has a triple hundred in this ground in first-class cricket,” he added.

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