Ravindra Jadeja used to be a 'Bits and Pieces Cricketer' accepts former teammate

Former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik praised all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja following the victory over Bangladesh in the first Test.

Dinesh Karthik said that Ravindra Jadeja has made remarkable improvements since 2017 and has become a reliable all-rounder for Team India in Tests.

The Rohit Sharma-led team started the two-match Test series against Bangladesh with a 280-run victory on Sunday, September 22.

Team India took a 1-0 lead in the ongoing red-ball series at home. Ravindra Jadeja scored 86 runs in the first innings and took five wickets across the two outings.

Team India collapsed to 144-6 while batting first on Day 1. However, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin formed a 199-run partnership for the seventh wicket in the first innings. Ashwin reached his sixth Test century with 113 runs. However, Jadeja fell short of the three-digit milestone.

Ravindra Jadeja Is The Most Improved All-Rounder - Dinesh Karthik

During a discussion on Cricbuzz, Dinesh Karthik said that Ravindra Jadeja has effectively utilized his talent since 2017 and has become a reliable batsman and bowler. Karthik stated that Jadeja performs well under pressure, whether batting lower down or higher up the order.

"Post 2017, he is the most improved all-rounder. I think what he has learned is how to use his talent and convert it into results. He was always someone who could bat a bit, and bowl well, but today, he's become that reliable batter. Under pressure he's got runs, you send him up the order, he gets runs, a good player of fast bowling," Karthik said on Cricbuzz.

Karthik said that Jadeja and Axar Patel are not the same type of all-rounders despite sharing similarities as left-arm spinners. Karthik pointed out that Jadeja is a very good player of fast bowling, while Axar is more effective against spin.

"In fact, I feel Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel are similar all-rounders, not the same. Their skills and strengths even in left-arm spin are different, and fast bowling as well. I feel Axar Patel is a much better player of spin as an all-rounder, whereas Ravindra Jadeja is a very good player of fast bowling," Karthik added.

It'll Stay Low, Black Soil Pitch - Dinesh Karthik

The cricketer-turned-commentator suggested a change in India's playing XI for the second Test against Bangladesh. Karthik said that Akash Deep should be replaced by either Kuldeep Yadav or Axar Patel. He added that the Kanpur pitch will favor spin and is not ideal for fast bowlers.

"I feel Kuldeep Yadav or Axar Patel will definitely come in place of Akash Deep. The pitch in Kanpur is not going to be too conducive to fast bowling. It'll stay low, black soil pitch, I've seen the UP Premier League that happened at a similar timeline last year, it's not a great place for fast bowlers to be bowling long spells. Kuldeep is my preferred option"

The Indian team management opted for a combination of three pacers and two spinners for the first Test in Chennai. Jasprit Bumrah took four wickets, while Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj secured two wickets each in the first innings. However, Siraj and Akash went wicketless in the second innings.

The second Test match between India and Bangladesh is scheduled to be played at Green Park in Kanpur, starting on September 27.

Also read: Watch: Ravichandran Ashwin fumes at Akash Deep over poor fielding effort in IND vs BAN 1st Test