Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra feels Ravindra Jadeja’s unavailability for the second Test against England is a massive blow to India as Washington Sundar doesn’t bring the same all-round qualities as Jadeja. However, India faced a 28-run loss in the first Test in Hyderabad. They will play against England in the second game of the five-match series in Visakhapatnam from Friday, February 2. However, Jadeja has been ruled out of the important game due to a hamstring injury.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra said: “You are going to miss both Jadeja the batter and Jadeja the bowler. Jaddu is this team’s life. There is no doubt that he is the World No. 1 Test all-rounder. You got such a big first-innings lead because of Ravindra Jadeja. He also picks up a minimum of two to three wickets and is a gun fielder. When Jaddu is not there, you feel you should pick a bowler who can bat as well. So you start thinking about Washington Sundar. He will give control but won’t be able to give wickets. He might give as much batting, he is a very good batter, but he is not Jaddu.”
READ MORE: “I want to play cricket for as long as I can” – Nathan Lyon
Washington Sundar played three Test matches in England’s last tour of India. Although he scored 181 runs in four innings at an average of 90.50, he claimed only two wickets at a poor average of 65.00. Aakash Chopra added that Kuldeep Yadav is a more enticing option as an attacking spinner as well.
“Playing two off-spinners becomes a question if the pitch is not an extreme turner. So you would want to play Kuldeep because you have to do something different to stop the reverse sweeps and switch sweeps. Kuldeep Yadav can do that because they (England) might fall into the trap if they don’t read him from the hand. Multiple problems arise because of Jadeja’s absence. Of course, Bharat’s batting has given a little confidence. So he can bat slightly up the order but whom should they play down the order? If you want wickets – Kuldeep Yadav, if you want batting – Washington Sundar,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
