Indian team selection has been criticised ever since the news of R Ashwin not playing the fourth Test came out. Ashwin, who has more than 400 Test wickets to has name, has not played a single match in the ongoing series. 

Former Indian batsman VVS Laxman has said that Ashwin would have been more effective than left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja, especially on day five at The Oval.

“Watching this Test match, how much I am missing Ashwin not being there in the playing XI. Ashwin would have been an ideal option for Virat Kohli, not only in restricting the flow of runs but also putting pressure on the England batsmen. And, come the last day, I am sure Virat Kohli will miss the services of Ravichandran Ashwin,” VVS Laxman said in an interaction with ESPNCricinfo 

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“If we compare Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja just on pure skill set, as a spinner Ashwin is far more skillful than Jadeja,” he added. 

The former India player said that Jadeja had improved his bowling in recent years, but opined that the bowlers should be able to get something from the surface. 

“Yes, Jadeja has really if improved but if he has to be effective on these kind of surfaces, he needs to beat the batsmen in flight, like Ashwin. He is not going to get anything from the wicket like he is gets from the sub-continent. 

Someone who bowls at a quicker pace and flatter trajectory, he requires purchase from the wicket. When the ball starts to turn and grip from the surface, Jadeja becomes almost unplayable, whether you are a right-hand batsmen or a left-hand batsmen,” he concluded.