SA v IND 2023-24: “Ravindra Jadeja, if fit, should come back in the team”- Irfan Pathan

R Ashwin managed just one wicket in first Test against South Africa.

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has backed Ravindra Jadeja to replace R Ashwin in the Indian XI for the second Test against South Africa. Already down 1-0 in the two-Test series, India will look to level the series when the second Test begins on January 3 in Cape Town.

South Africa, on the other hand, will look to give Dean Elgar a fitting farewell, as he captains the side in his final Test match.

Ravindra Jadeja had missed the first Test due to upper back spasms and hence R Ashwin played in his place. But Irfan Pathan thinks Jadeja was missed by India for his batting in 1^st Test. Ashwin was India’s most economical bowler in Centurion, giving away just 41 runs in 19 overs, while picking the wicket of Gerald Coetzee.

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“Ravindra Jadeja, if fit, should come back in the team. Ashwin did bowl well from what was expected out of him on that pitch but we missed Jadeja's control while batting at number 7 in Centurion,” said Pathan on Star Sports.

He went on to say that if Prasidh Krishna is feeling confident in the nets then he should play the second match, but if not, Mukesh Kumar could replace him.

“If you're Rohit Sharma and you want to go with the same bowling attack, that's also fine. But if you're thinking of making a change, Mukesh Kumar could come in for Prasidh Krishna. But if you feel Prasidh is confident in the nets, then he should be backed for the second Test,” Pathan added.