ENG vs IND: "He's not a front-line spinner…"- Greg Chappell wants India to drop Ravindra Jadeja from playing XI for Edgbaston test

Greg Chappell feels Ravindra Jadeja is not a powerful spinner in English conditions.

India Cricket Team and England Cricket Team are gearing up for the second test of the five-match series, scheduled to commence from July 2 at Edgbaston, Birmingham. Ahead of the game, former India coach Greg Chappell suggested that the Shubma Gill-led side should drop Ravindra Jadeja from the playing XI.

Jadeja was part of the first test at Headingley, Leeds, however, he failed to deliver with bat and ball. He registered scores of 11 and 25* in two innings. Jadeja went wicketless in the first innings and picked up one wicket in the second innings despite the track being friendly for spinners on last two days.

Notably, Jadeja was the only spinner for India in the match. Moreover, the visitors also faced batting collapses in the lower order in both innings. England chased down the 371-run target with ease, with Ben Duckett smashing a 149-run knock.

Ravindra Jadeja is not a front-line spinner in English conditions – Greg Chappell

In his column for ESPN Cricinfo, Chappell questioned India’s decision to play Jadeja as the front-line spinner in the first test. According to him, Jadeja can only be played as a secondary spinner in the playing XI.

“Jadeja is not a front-line spinner in English conditions. If his batting is considered good enough, he can be a support spinner; otherwise a rethink is necessary. If India are to reverse their fortunes in this series then a better balanced team is required,” he wrote.

“I don’t agree that an extra batter who bowls should be selected as insurance against top-order collapses. The top six must be trusted to deliver the runs and that the best combination to secure the requisite 20 wickets is available to the captain,” he added.

Notably, except for Jasprit Bumrah, other Indian bowlers struggled to showcase an impressive bowling performance against the hosts. Bumrah hunted a five-wicket haul in the first innings, however, he went wicketless in the second innings as the opposition played safely against him.

Meanwhile, the Shubman Gill & Co. will aim for a comeback in the next game. They are highly likely to make some changes in the playing XI in Edgbaston test.

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