3 players who can replace Ravindra Jadeja if he's ruled out of 2nd Test vs England ft. Washington Sundar
Things are not going right for the Indian team. After a barely believable 28-run loss in the first Test against England, the side could be without Ravindra Jadeja in the second Test in Visakhapatnam. The availability of the all-rounder remains doubtful after he picked up an injury on the fourth day of the first Test in Hyderabad.
Jadeja looked visibly distressed and in pain when he clutched his leg immediately after being run out by Ben Stokes on Sunday. He is now awaiting a verdict as reports from his scan conducted in Hyderabad have been sent to Mumbai.
The severity of this possible hamstring injury is expected to be known on Monday. There are now strong chances that Ravindra Jadeja might miss the second Test match, slated to start on February 2.
Here we take a look at three players who can replace Ravindra Jadeja if he's ruled out of the second Test vs England:
#3 Saurabh Kumar
Saurabh Kumar, the Uttar Pradesh left-arm bowler, has been a consistent domestic and India A performer, and has been on the radar of the selectors for a while now. He was recently included in the India A squad for the two four-day matches against England Lions.
In October last year, Saurabh Kumar sliced through Saurashtra's line-up and ended with 10 wickets in the match to power Rest of India to an Irani Cup title. He has superb numbers in first class cricket – 290 wickets in 68 matches at an average of 24.42 speaks volumes about his ability.
What could also work for him is that he is no mug with the bat – he has 2061 runs in these 68 first-class matches at an average of 27.11.
He can be the proper replacement for Ravindra Jadeja if the selectors decide to include a spinner who has been a sort of master in Indian conditions over the last couple of years.
#2 Shams Mulani
Shami Mulani is a promising all-rounder from Mumbai who was the leading wicket-taker in Ranji Trophy for the 2021-22 season. It was around that time when he had eight five-wicket hauls in 11 matches and showed his amazing wicket-taking prowess.
The 26-year-old has become Mumbai’s bank with the ball and has quickly made his name for the India A squad as well. He was part of this squad for the England Lions series, but we could well see him being included in the India squad as well. So far, he has picked up 155 wickets in 31 matches at an astounding average of 22.
Mulani is a proper middle-order batter for Mumbai as well and has scored 1364 runs in 43 innings with an average of 33.26. He has two years of first-class experience and understands what it takes to pick up wickets on Indian surfaces. The selectors can really be proactive and choose the all-rounder as a like-for-like replacement for Ravindra Jadeja.
#1 Washington Sundar
Washington Sundar can bowl offies on a length and not allow the batters to get close to the length. With the bat, he can hold one end up and even go for strokes. Being a left-hander, he can counter the threat of England’s left-arm spin. These factors make the 24-year-old a viable option to replace Ravindra Jadeja for the second Test match.
Sundar, too, was included in the India A squad for the series against the England Lions and in his last international appearance, he picked up 3 for 18 in a high-scoring run-fest against Afghanistan. He can be the perfect third spinner behind R Ashwin and Axar Patel and considering his ability with the bat, can also be moved up the order if need be.
Sundar has not been too shabby in the four Tests that he has played. Had injury not impeded his progress, he could have been a regular member of the side in all three formats. As far as his first-class numbers are concerned – he has averaged 31 with the ball and 32 with the bat so far. Sundar is a definite promise who can get the nod in place of Ravindra Jadeja.