India has announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2021 in UAE and Oman. The semi-finalists from the last T20 WC in 2016, have decided to go in this tournament with a heavy spin contingent in R Ashwin, Rahul Chahar, Akshar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, and Varun Chakravarthy.
While this combination will be creating a problem of plenty while selecting a playing XI, former India pacer Ashish Nehra has pointed out why the all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja should be in the India XI at the showpiece event in the middle east.
According to Nehra, Jadeja has been on a roll with both bat and ball of late which is evident from his IPL 2021 performances for Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The ex-India cricketer also compared the southpaw with the likes of Andre Russell, Kieron Pollard, and MS Dhoni.
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“With the ball too, he was effective. He picked up an important wicket and gave just 21 runs in four overs. He displayed the same type of bowling which he is known for. And as far as batting is concerned, he has done exceptionally well in the last 2 years,” Nehra told Cricbuzz.
“He hit Prasidh Krishna for big blows to finish the match. We talk of MS Dhoni, Andre Russell, and Kieron Pollard, but even Ravindra Jadeja did the same thing today. He has performed well for CSK and in Tests with the bat. His batting is finally coming along nicely,” he added.
Even though there will be healthy competition amongst the five selected spinners, the left-arm quick believes Jadeja will be difficult to ignore for the coaching staff.
“It will become interesting to see whether India includes Ravindra Jadeja ahead of them or as a third spinner. I would say that in the situations we have seen till now, he would be the first name on the minds of coach Shastri, captain Kohli and mentor Dhoni when it comes to deciding the XI,” pacer Ashish Nehra said.
The cricketer-turned-commentator then talked about having Jadeja as a ‘no-brainer’ but if there is a flat pitch, Varun Chakravarthy and Rahul Chahar might be played.
“If you talk about the Indian team he has been used differently. For the T20 World Cup, India has picked five spinners so it remains to be seen. If there is assistance in the pitch then Jadeja is a no-brainer. But if you have a flat pitch, they might play Varun Chakravarthy and Rahul Chahar,” the 42-year-old concluded.
As far as Team India is concerned, they will be opening the T20 World Cup 2021 campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday (24 October) at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
(With Cricbuzz Inputs)
