India Will Miss Ravindra Jadeja Against England, The Second Spinner Will Be Crucial - Monty Panesar

Former England spinner, Monty Panesar opines that India will feel a massive void of Ravindra Jadeja in the forthcoming four-match Test series at home against England which commences on 5th February. Ravindra Jadeja is ruled out of the entire Test series owing to a surgery on his fractured thumb that he sustained in the Sydney Test against Australia.

Monty Panesar points out that Axar Patel is added as the replacement to India’s squad – the former spinner feels that Patel will have a difficult job to fill the boots of Jadeja in supporting Ravichandran Ashwin at the other end. India also have Kuldeep Yadav in the squad – the chinaman is likely to play against England alongside one of Washington Sundar or Axar Patel.

“Jadeja will be missed. The second spinner will be crucial for India as Ashwin will need support from the other end to put England under pressure. They have named Axar Patel in the squad but I do believe that Jadeja adds a different dimension to the Indian team,” Monty Panesar told Times Of India.

Ashwin has become smarter in recent times and is in prime form: Monty Panesar

Monty Panesar, who snared 17 wickets in three matches on England’s victorious tour to India in 2012, heaps high praises on Ravichandran Ashwin’s recent performances, especially away from home in Australia. The off-spinner picked 12 scalps in three matches against Tim Paine‘s side, also dismissed Australia’s talisman batsman, Steve Smith thrice in the series.

The 38-year-old former English spinner reckons R Ashwin will be the key for India and England’s success in the series will depend on how they play the Tamil Nadu off-spinner. Monty Panesar, who played 50 Tests and picked 167 wickets for the Three Lions, feels that Ashwin is riding high on confidence coming off an individual and collective success in Australia.

“Ashwin had a great tour of Australia and will come into the series with tons of confidence. How England play Ashwin will decide the outcome of the series. Ashwin has become smarter with the way he has bowled in recent times and is in prime form,” Monty Panesar added.

The first couple of Test will be played in Chennai, the same venue where England lost the last Test match of their previous tour – Ravindra Jadeja claimed his career-best bowling figures of 7/48.

Joe Root’s side is coming off a clean sweep over Sri Lanka – the skipper himself was the Man of the Series – however, India, not just in India but anywhere in the world now, is a completely different beast.

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