Are India planning on Ravindra Jadeja as the next Test No.5?

With the sacking of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, the Indian Test match batting unit is currently in transition mode. And it is a scenario of which premier allrounder Ravindra Jadeja could be a major beneficiary, as two senior voices within the squad have indicated he might earn a promotion up the order.

Newly appointed Test captain Rohit Sharma is very keen to use Jadeja’s ever-improving batting ability a lot more than his predecessors MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli did. Rohit hinted we might see Jadeja, who began as a No.8, being promoted up as far as No.5 in the batting unit.

In the first Test against Sri Lanka in Mohali, India kept Ravindra Jadeja at No.7. But the use of a left-hander in Rishabh Pant at 5 suggested something. With Sri Lanka employing left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya, India tried to counter that by separating their multiple right-handers in the middle-order and sent Pant in as a negative match-up for the tourists.

While Pant made another impactful 96, suggestions were that India could’ve used Jadeja at that spot with a similar consideration. When the Saurashtra left-hander eventually walked in, he made his highest Test score – an unbeaten 175* – which was also his second Test score of 100 or above.

Also Read – Ravindra Jadeja Shines Without Spotlight At The Oval

Ravindra Jadeja could earn a promotion up the order in Tests.

“As a captain, I want to use Jadeja a lot more with the bat,” said Rohit Sharma at the post-match presser in Mohali after India’s innings victory. “We all know his bowling and everyone knows about his fielding. To me, he is one of the top (all-rounders) definitely. Look at the performances. To score 175 not out and take nine wickets in the game, he’s just upping his game every time we see him.”

“In the past as well, when we played in India, his contribution with the bat lower down the order and taking those crucial wickets (has been great). You know, he just seems to be adding a lot more to his game every time he plays. He’s very hungry, as you can see. That hunger is something that drives athletes to move forward. I see that in Jadeja clearly. He’s quite hungry for success, for runs and do well for the team,” he added.

Ashwin says Ravindra Jadeja batting “low” for form and ability

Since the start of 2017, the 33-year-old left-hander averages 46.12 over 35 Tests with 1,522 runs to go with his 130 wickets as a left-arm spinner at 24.46 per piece – an incredible record that rightfully puts him among the finest Test match allround cricketers.

For all his runs and consistent contribution, perhaps it is not the runs but the technical acumen on display that makes Ravindra Jadeja a prime candidate for promotion. Jadeja has tightened up his game outside off-stump and is not falling across like he once used to, playing straight and making better decisions at the crease.

This transformation began with an inspiring knock at The Oval back in 2018 when he countered Broad and Anderson in difficult conditions with a solid defence, not adventurous high-risk batting, on his way to a magnificent 86 not out.

Three years later, at the same venue, India used Jadeja at No.5 to provide cushion and cover to a struggling Rahane from the second new ball. Jadeja only made 17 runs in the second-innings but played out 59 balls at his end against England’s best seamers along with Virat Kohli in a vital contribution towards the Indian win.

It is these knocks, married with ones in Mohali, that made another senior pro and fellow spin great Ravichandran Ashwin back Jadeja’s promotion. Speaking to broadcasters after the Mohali Test, Ashwin said Jadeja is batting too low for his form and ability.

“He has really come a long way in the last four-five years,” Ashwin said. “I think his position is a little low for the way he is batting at the moment. His batting has gone one notch higher. He knows what he is doing and it reflects in the way he is batting.”