Ex-CSK star shockingly blasts Ajit Agarkar for Ravindra Jadeja's inclusion in squad for ENG ODIs

Former India and CSK batter S Badrinath has questioned the selectors' choice to include the allrounder Ravindra Jadeja for the upcoming ODI series against England. Jadeja is among the three spin bowling allrounders in India's squad alongside Axar Patel and Washington Sundar.

India have a variety of spin bowling options in their squad which makes it tougher for Jadeja to find a spot in the Playing XI. Badrinath believes that there will be very little space in the Playing XI and Ravindra Jadeja might not even get to play.

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S Badrinath questions Ravindra Jadeja's place in India's squad

During a conversation on Star Sports show 'Game Plan', S Badrinath discussed about India's squad for the ODI series against England. While he is satisfied with most of the squad, he is surprised to see Ravindra Jadeja in the squad. Badrinath termed Jadeja's selection as a tricky one and argued his selection.

"There are a few spots which are a little bit tricky. I am honestly surprised Ravindra Jadeja is in the squad. I didn't expect him to be in the squad because there is very little space for him in the XI. So why would you actually take a player in the squad who might not feature in the actual playing XI? So that is a little bit tricky," said Badrinath.

While there are a no. of spin bowlers in India's squad, Jadeja is the most experienced one out of them. The left-hander has loads of experience which can be crucial for India in the upcoming Champions Trophy as well.

India's spin-heavy attack

Ravindra Jadeja is likely in a tussle with the other left-arm spin bowling allrounder Axar Patel to be a part of Playing XI for the first ODI against England. Over the last few months, Axar has evolved as an excellent white-ball cricketer and has seriously challenged Jadeja's place in this format.

India can also opt to go for the offspinner Washington Sundar if they want to add more variety to their attack. Apart from these three players, Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy are the other two spin bowling options in the squad.

Kuldeep is almost certain to play as the specialist spinner while Chakravarthy has just received his maiden ODI call-up after impressive performances in the recent T20I series against England and the Vijay Hazare Trophy. All these bowlers are part of India's Champions Trophy squad except Varun Chakravarthy.

"Rohit (Sharma) likes Kuldeep Yadav": S Badrinath

S Badrinath also observed that Rohit Sharma prefers Kuldeep Yadav as the frontline spin bowler over the others. Badrinath feels that Kuldeep's skills to bowl slower makes him a wicket-taking option.

"Rohit (Sharma) likes him. Rohit has been backing Kuldeep Yadav since he took over the captaincy. He does whatever the other spinners don't do. Kuldeep Yadav is a wrist spinner. He is slower through the air," Badrinath noted.

Kuldeep Yadav is making a comeback after a long time. He last played an international match during the first Test against New Zealand in October last year. After that game, he suffered a groin surgery and had been forced to go under the knife.