England vs India 2021: Harbhajan Singh Defends Inclusion of Ravindra Jadeja Over Ravichandran Ashwin

Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has backed Indian team management’s decision to play Ravindra Jadeja over Ravichandran Ashwin as the lone spinner in the first of the 5-match Test series against England. Given the conditions, India went in with four regular seamers and one spinner which worked out in their favor.

Although it’s easy to judge in hindsight, Harbhajan was quick to point out that the Indian tail would have been long had Ashwin been included. Also considering the fact that Jadeja’s services were barely needed in the bowling department, Bhajji felt the decision was thereby vindicated.

Why Can’t Jadeja Be Used As A Lone Spinner Questions Harbhajan Singh

“I guess if you would have played Ashwin, the tail would have been very long. You didn’t know how much spin in fact will be used. Jaddu has bowled three out of 50 overs till tea. So overs that you will use spin, Jaddu can bowl those overs. And why do we jump to conclusion that he can’t be used as a lone spinner?” Harbhajan Singh was quoted as saying to PTI.

Since Indian lower-order has struggled to add those few valuable runs towards the end, the 41-year-old Harbhajan stated India decided to go on the defensive with Jadeja.

“And if you look at overseas performances, Jaddu has been a better batsman and has a solid presence in the lower order. It’s the first Test of the series, you want to win but at the same time, you would like to also have your defense prepared. You don’t want to concede advantage on batting front and I feel it’s fine if the team management thinks that way,” Harbhajan Singh asserted.

“This surface, in any case, will not offer great turn” – Harbhajan Singh

Going in with two spinners in English conditions is almost never the right approach even though Ashwin has been improving recently in the SENA countries. Although he does offer a bit with the bat, the recent one that comes to mind is his 100 at Chennai on a difficult track, a bowling all-rounder suited the situation better.

“This surface in any case will not offer great turn. So if turn is not on offer, then play a guy, who can bat better and make the tail look a bit longer. Chennai hundred was a different innings on a different track. Here the lower order players may struggle to total 100 runs across five innings. So Chennai hundred can’t be an indicator of playing him as an all-rounder at Trent Bridge,” Harbhajan Singh concluded.

At the end of the first day of the first Test, India was well on top having bundled out England for a paltry 183 in the first innings. At the end of the day’s play, India reached 21/0, with Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul at the crease.