Former Indian cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra believes that the Indian cricket team will miss the services of their star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja in the ongoing second and final Test against New Zealand at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Ahead of the series-deciding final Test which began on December 3, India suffered three setbacks as Ajinkya Rahane, Jadeja, and Ishant Sharma were ruled out of the game due to respective injuries.
As is obvious, the returning Indian skipper, Virat Kohli, replaced Rahane, Mohammed Siraj came in for Ishant, and Jayant Yadav replaced Jadeja in India’s playing XI against New Zealand.
However, Chopra is aware of Yadav’s potential, but said Jadeja’s void will certainly be felt by Team India in Mumbai.
Chopra said on Byju's Cricket Live Show on Star Sports: “Kohli comes in, Rahane goes out. You've got Iyer who stays, openers have not been disturbed which is actually a good thing.
Jadeja will definitely be missed, possibly the only guy who will be missed. I know India has had three injuries. Ishant Sharma I thought was always an iffy starter for this Test match. Siraj comes in, that was straightforward.”
Praising Jadeja, the cricket analyst said that there is no one quite like him in the world and nobody can replace the all-rounder while calling him a three-dimensional player.
He signed off by saying, “When you talk about Ravindra Jadeja, there is no one quite like him in the world. You can't replace him. He is a three-dimensional player. A gun fielder as well, so you will have to make do with whatever you have got. Jayant has got the wares; he can pick up a lot of wickets, especially with left-handers in the opposition. But Jadeja will be missed.”
