Ravindra Jadeja shouldn’t be left out at any cost: Ex-India star wants all-rounder to be part of WTC final

Former India cricketer Anshuman Gaekwad has thrown his weight behind Ravindra Jadeja and said that he shouldn’t be left out at any cost. Jadeja and R Ashwin are two spin-bowling all-rounders in India’s squad.

India and New Zealand will square in the first-ever World Test Championship final from June 18 to 22. Both the teams have announced their respective 15-member squads. India have benched KL Rahul, Shardul Thakur, Mayank Agarwal, Washington Sundar and Axar Patel while the Kiwis have also released 5 players.

India have plenty of options in the bowling department and their line-up for the WTC final will be the one to watch out for. Courtesy of his all-round performance in the past many years, Ravindra Jadeja has been a regular member of the team but he still isn’t a permanent member of the playing XI in overseas conditions.

He only played one Test on the previous England tour and was part of one Test on the New Zealand tour. In the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020/21, he was benched for the opening game. Jadeja will compete with R Ashwin if India play only one spin-bowling all-rounder.

A day before the WTC final, ex-India cricketer Anshuman Gaekwad has thrown his weight behind Jadeja and said that the all-rounder shouldn’t be dropped at any cost.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, Gaekwad said: “[Ravindra] Jadeja shouldn’t be left out at any cost. And why should he? He is such a huge asset to the team in all three departments. He is a triple-plus. And I don’t think that if three bowlers cannot do damage in English conditions, a fourth pacer will help. Three is good enough.”

“And you need a spinner. Ashwin is a class spinner alright but with Jadeja in the team, he has to play. How many international teams have got quality left arm spinners? And here you have one, not only as a spinner but as a proven batsman and a brilliant fielder. What else do you want?” he added.

If included in the playing XI, Jadeja will be playing his first international fixture after 5 months. He was ruled out during the Australia tour and missed the complete home series against England.

Apart from the spinners, India will also have to make a tough call while picking pacers as Mohammed Siraj’s form in Australia makes him difficult to ignore. The likes of Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami hold an edge over others in the 15-member squad. Siraj can also be part of the final XI if India only play one of Jadeja and Ashwin.