Former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer shared who should bat at number six in India’s playing XI for the first Test against Sri Lanka. India are all set to play a two-match Test series in Sri Lanka starting August 15. With Sai Sudharsan ruled out after being unable to recover on time from injury, Sarfaraz Khan came into the squad.

Wasim Jaffer said that along with openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal would bat at three, after scoring an unbeaten 142 in the first innings of the warm-up game, followed by captain Shubman Gill at four, Rishabh Pant at five. Between Jurel and Sarfaraz, Jaffer picked Jurel as he has been in the setup for a while, compared to Sarfaraz, who just returned.

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“Padikkal will be seen playing at three as he scored a hundred. Maybe Pant will play at five. At number six, either Sarfaraz or Dhruv Jurel. Jadeja is also there, and he will certainly play as the second spinner. It will be a toss-up between Jurel and Sarfaraz. I feel Jurel will be preferred as he has been in the team for a while. And for someone who is coming back after a while, I think he will have to wait for his opportunity. To keep the continuity, I feel Jurel should play,” he said in a video on his YouTube channel.

Wasim Jaffer also opened up on veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and his limitations despite being a brilliant spinner. However, he stated that Jadeja could be lethal in Sri Lanka with conditions expected to be spin-friendly as well.

“Wherever he gets even a little help, he becomes very lethal. When the wicket is a bit good, he has some limitations. But he keeps it tight and gets through his overs quickly. He may not have those skills to get you wickets on day one and day two, but once there is some wear and tear or turn, then he becomes a lethal bowler. In Sri Lanka, he (Jadeja) and Kuldeep will form a good partnership. If you play only Jadeja, then it will become a little ineffective, especially away from India. But as his batting is also good, it becomes slightly difficult to drop him. But I think in Sri Lankan conditions he will be very handy,” Wasim Jaffer concluded.