Ravindra Jadeja, Ajit Agarkar, India vs Windies 2018
Ravindra Jadeja (Photo by Tharaka Basnayaka/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Former Indian fast bowler Ajit Agarkar believes Team India captain Virat Kohli was forced to pick Ravindra Jadeja over Kuldeep Yadav. Ravindra Jadeja has had a merry time in the last one month as he is shinning with the bat as well. Jadeja had scored his maiden Test century in the first Test match against the Windies. He had also scalped seven wickets in the Asia Cup.

On the other hand, Kuldeep Yadav is also in good form. The mystery chinaman spinner had picked his maiden five-wicket haul in the red ball version in the first Test. However, Ajit Agarkar believes the current situation forced Kohli to go for Jadeja in the playing XI.

Kuldeep Yadav
India’s Kuldeep Yadav. (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

Jadeja is getting his opportunities.

Meanwhile, India is trying to test its bench strength in the ongoing series against the Windies. Rishabh Pant is making his debut whereas India also gave chance to rookie seamer Khaleel Ahmed. Pant has had a good start to his Test career while Ahmed impressed in the Asia Cup.

“The current situation of the side forced Kohli to play Jadeja over Kuldeep Yadav. If the pitch had more assistance for the spinners, they would’ve gone for three spinners. It looks like a good batting track and hence, India needed three seamers in the XI,” Agarkar said while talking to ESPN Cricinfo.

Ravindra Jadeja, Asia Cup 2018
Ravindra Jadeja. Image Courtesy: Getty

In fact, Ravindra Jadeja is currently playing because Hardik Pandya is not fully fit. Pandya had suffered an acute back injury in the Asia Cup while playing against Pakistan. Meanwhile, Ajit Agarkar believes Jadeja will need to come up with special performances.

“If Jadeja doesn’t play well, then he might to consider the other alternatives and think about a different setup. There are far too many specialized batsmen and bowlers in the squad right now and Jadeja seems to be the only person who can do a bit of both. That is what might have forced the captain to opt for him in the XI,” Agarkar added.

Ravindra Jadeja will like to grab his chances with both hands. Jadeja scalped two wickets in the first innings of Windies in the first ODI. On the other hand, Hardik Pandya will return for the Australia tour.

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