Former England cricketer-turned-commentator, Graeme Swann, wasn’t really impressed with the way Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja bowled on day four of the ongoing rescheduled fifth and final Test between England and India at Edgbaston.
Questioning Jadeja's approach of bowling from over the stumps to right-handed batters, Swann said it was a defensive approach and he was expecting this trick from the leading spinner in the 4th innings.
The left-arm leg-spinner was not able to take a single wicket despite bowling 15 overs against England on day four of the ongoing rescheduled Test at Edgbaston. He conceded 53 runs in his 15 overs.
Well, Indian bowlers were not effective on day four, as the hosts scored 259 runs at the expense of just three wickets while chasing 378 for a win in the final Test against India at Edgbaston.
Graeme Swann told Sony Sports: “Where I think India missed a trick is Jadeja bowling over the wicket. Ravindra is such a good bowler, he doesn’t need to bowl over the wicket. 100 for 3, chasing 370.”
He added, “There are certain moments in an innings where you have to be ruthless, and identify your time to have a go at the opposition. Most of the runs that were scored against him were behind the wicket, which tells me that they didn’t bowl straight enough to him. Jonny Bairstow picked them to the leg-side easily.”
The former England off-spinner said that he never liked bowling over the wicket to right-handers and stressed that a leading spinner should not go for a defensive approach but look to win the match in the 4th innings in Test cricket.
Explaining his point, Swann said: “As a spin bowler, you never convince me that the best way to bowl is outside the batsman’s leg-stump. I hated it when I was asked to do it. I refused it most of the time. Your job in the 4th innings, as a spinner, is to win the game for the team. That’s what you are expected to do, or at least take 2-3 wickets, pile on the pressure from one end.”
Swann signed off by saying, “You can’t do that, bowling into a foothold without catchers. You are not going to take wickets. I would much rather see India go around the wicket. I know the pitch is not doing much, but he is world-class, he has got 200 Test wickets. That’s how you win a game for India. You force the batters to play big shots.”
(With Sony Sports Inputs)
