Cheteshwar Pujara has voiced his disappointment over India’s team selection for the ongoing third Test in Brisbane, questioning the decision to exclude seasoned off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin in favour of Ravindra Jadeja.
India’s batting and bowling woes have been magnified by a formidable Australian side, leaving the team’s strategic choices under scrutiny.
Ahead of the game, India announced two changes, bringing in Akash Deep and Ravindra Jadeja for Harshit Rana and Ashwin. While Jadeja’s inclusion is seen as bolstering the batting lineup, Pujara expressed concern about Ashwin’s absence, particularly against an Australian batting order featuring three prominent left-handers – Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, and Alex Carey.
Speaking on ESPNcricinfo, Pujara remarked, “Even if Ashwin didn’t take many wickets in the last game, his control and craft were evident. Against left-handers like Head, Khawaja, and Carey, an off-spinner could have been a game-changer, especially with the rough available for right-handers.”
Jadeja’s Underwhelming Start
Jadeja, while offering depth to India’s brittle batting order, failed to make an impact with the ball in the first innings. Conceding 95 runs in 23 overs at an economy rate of 4.10, he was the only wicketless bowler in India’s attack, unable to provide the control expected of him.
In contrast, Ashwin has been a reliable performer in the series, utilizing his variations and accuracy to trouble Australian batters. His performance in Adelaide showed his ability to extract the most from unhelpful pitches, raising questions about his exclusion in conditions where his off-spin could have been vital.
India’s decision to field Jadeja over Ashwin appears to stem from a need to strengthen their fragile batting lineup. Most Indian batters have struggled against the quality Australian pace attack, with technical flaws being ruthlessly exploited. Jadeja’s recent batting form has made him a dependable lower-order contributor, but this comes at the expense of Ashwin’s superior bowling capabilities.
As Pujara observed, “Jadeja can provide depth to the batting order, but as a bowler, you need more from him, especially in conditions like these. There’s another innings left, and India will hope he makes a bigger impact.”
Bigger Questions Ahead
India’s selection strategy highlights a broader concern: the underperformance of their top-order batters. With the team struggling to find consistent runs, the balance between batting depth and bowling strength has come under the spotlight.
The second innings could still see Jadeja justify his inclusion as a bowler, but for now, the decision to omit Ashwin has left many, including Pujara, questioning India’s approach in a crucial Test. Whether this gamble pays off or adds to India’s woes remains to be seen.
