India vs England 2021: Virender Sehwag Confident Of Ravindra Jadeja's Potential, Feels He Can Do More With The Bat

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag lauded the all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja for scoring an important half-century in the first test and has stated he can do a lot more with the bat. Jadeja has been in terrific form in tests for India in the last two to three years and has been one of the most consistent batsmen coming in at seven.

The fact that he can bowl his left-arm spin too makes it impossible to drop him from the playing XI and he is one of the best fielders going around in the world at the moment.

He scored a crucial 56 in the first innings of the Trent Bridge Test against England and it tilted the game in India’s favour completely. He has been preferred ahead of premier spinner Ravichandran Ashwin mainly for his batting skills.

Virender Sehwag Feels Jadeja Hasn’t Realised His Potential Yet

Virender Sehwag recalled the incident when he was the vice-captain of the side and the management needed a bowler who can bat as well bringing in the option of Ravindra Jadeja.

From being a bowler who can bat to becoming one of India’s best all-rounders is a massive achievement and Sehwag felt that the left-hander has still not realized his potential despite his crucial knocks.

“Now, Ravindra Jadeja is the main bowler, left-arm spinner for India, and his contribution with the bat. He has not yet realized his potential but it has been magnificent.”

“I still remember when Ravindra Jadeja had come for the first time, I was the vice-captain that time, our mindset was to get a bowler who bats as well and gives a break to our main bowlers. He came with that thinking,” Virender Sehwag revealed.

Virender Sehwag Stresses On The Importance Of Ravindra Jadeja In The Team

Virender Sehwag mentioned that Jadeja is very important to India’s plans in the longer format with his ability to bowl those long spells with the runs contained and playing some invaluable knocks down the order. He notified the importance of the 56 that Jadeja got in the first innings to take a significant lead in the first test.

“Ravindra Jadeja is an important player of this team, especially when we talk about Test match cricket because firstly, he bowls 25-30 overs and secondly, he comes and bats at No.7 or No.8. When batsmen get out, he scores the crucial runs.”

He scored 56 runs in this Test match, they were crucial runs. Probably, because of his 56 runs only India got the lead and went ahead of England,” he added.

The first test between India and England ended in a draw with the rain occupying the grounds on the final day.