Should Ravindra Jadeja Play The MCG Test After Gabba Heroics?

Abhinav Tyagi

R Ashwin and Jadeja - (Source:@Johns)R Ashwin and Jadeja - (Source:@Johns)

India's star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, earned a place in the playing XI for the first time in this series in the ongoing Gabba Test in Brisbane. The southpaw was quick to make full use of the opportunity given to him as he shone with the bat in the first innings to pull India out of embarrassment. 

In the ongoing match, India opted to play Jadeja above R Ashwin and Washington Sundar. The CSK star couldn't shine with the ball but is doing his bit with the bat. He came to bat when India were 74/5 and trailed by 371 runs. At the time of writing this article, Jadeja is batting on 57 (98), which has featured six fours.

The southpaw is doing his bit to at least avoid the follow-on. The visitors are hoping for a miraculous knock from Jadeja. Meanwhile, this performance has also got people thinking about whether Jaddu will feature in the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 26. 

Jadeja vs Ashwin: The Ideal Choice For 4th Test?

It is worth noting that for unknown reasons, Gautam Gambhir and his support staff have opted for a different spinner in each match so far. Washington Sundar featured in the first match, while R Ashwin replaced him in the 2nd match before Jadeja came in for the 3rd match. 

Now the management have tried and tested every specialised spinner available in the squad and the question is who will they go ahead with in the fourth Test. 

Going by the performance in the third Test, then Jadeja has been the better batter so far among Sundar and Ashwin. The Indian team are failing in the batting order and if the management prioritises batting depth, then Jadeja will get the go-ahead.

However, if we look at the bowling record in the MCG, then Ashwin has a better stat than Jadeja. Ashwin has taken 14 wickets in 6 innings, while Jadeja has eight wickets in four innings. 

Ashwin vs Jadeja: Batting Record At MCG

Player
Innings
Runs
Average
R Ashwin58320.75
R Jadeja36622

Ashwin vs Jadeja: Bowling Record At MCG

Player
Innings
Wickets
Average
R Ashwin61432.57
R Jadeja4821.25

Conclusion

Irrespective of the outcome of the Gabba Test, batting remains to be a major concern for the Indian team. Thus, the management should prioritise enhancing the batting depth and go ahead with Jadeja for the MCG Test. 

If the management decides to pick Ashwin over Jadeja, then it will be a bad choice to have a specialised spinner in MCG where the surface won't assist much. It would be better to have Jadeja, who can add more runs with the bat than Ashwin, who has just 83 runs in five innings, while Jaddu has 66 runs in just three innings.