"I'll be very tempted to still go with Jadeja ahead of everyone else"- Ravi Shastri on India's primary spinner for 1st BGT 2024-25 Test
Former India all-rounder and ex-head coach Ravi Shastri backed Ravindra Jadeja as the side's primary spin option in the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Perth, starting November 22. With the track in Perth expected to favor pacers, India will likely go with only one spinner between Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Washington Sundar.
Recent reports suggest that the management might be tempted to go with Ashwin over Jadeja as the lone spinner for the opening Test. However, Shastri feels Jadeja must be a sure starter, considering his outstanding record in Australia.
"I go horses for horses. I go on current form. So, I've not really been in the nets to really know. But if you look at this Test match, the way you're going to start off, I'll be very tempted to still go with Jadeja ahead of everyone else because of what he's done over the years. And then take it from there," he said on Star Sports Press Room.
Jadeja averages an incredible 21.78 with the ball in four Tests down under, picking up 14 wickets. He has also excelled with the willow, averaging almost 44 with two half-centuries in Australia.
Switching to the series prediction, Shastri remained tight-lipped and felt the team that takes control after the first two Tests would dominate the rest of the way.
"Prediction is, I think India has a great chance in the first two Test matches, as do Australia. And that's why I think I kept saying again and again, after the first two Test matches, if you see one team having the upper hand, I think they will go on to dominate. The first two Tests are crucial. Both teams can win the Test matches," he said.
The 2024 T20I World Cup champions have won the last two bilateral Test series in Australia by 2-1 margins in 2018-19 and 2020-21.
However, the Aussies got the better of the Men in Blue in their most recent Test meeting in the World Test Championship (WTC) final at Oval last year.
"If we have to win the series, his role is the most important one" - Cheteshwar Pujara on India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal
India's batting star from their previous two Australian tours, Cheteshwar Pujara, feels opening batter Yashasvi Jaiswal will be the key for the side in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
The 22-year-old will be playing in Australia for the first time in his young international career.
"Yashasvi is probably one of the most talented cricketers India has produced. And I am very confident that even going forward, I know that he has a lot to prove, especially playing overseas. But he will play a key role in this particular series. If we have to win the series, his role is the most important one. He is someone who is an aggressive player. He can play a role like what David Warner used to do for the Australian team," said Pujara on Star Sports Press Room.
He added:
"Even in India, when we were losing the series, when he made runs, we were in a strong position. Being an opening player, he holds the key for the Indian batting lineup. I am sure that he will be successful. Obviously, there will be challenges throughout this series, but he is mentally tough. He prepares really, really well. He hits a number of balls and loves batting."
Yashasvi Jaiswal has made a remarkable start to his Test career, scoring 1,407 runs at an average of 56.28 in 14 Test outings. The southpaw has already scored three centuries, including two double tons in the red-ball format.