Ahead of India’s last group match in ICC World Cup 2019 against Sri Lanka, former skipper Mohammad Azharuddin has suggested the inclusion of all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja to strengthen India’s batting line-up, which has been found wanting after the dismissal of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Azhar believed the inclusion of Ravindra Jadeja will add muscle to the team’s faltering middle-order.
India’s batsmen have been criticised for losing momentum after the fall of their powerful top-order, which includes in-form opener Rohit Sharma and Kohli.
Azhar suggested that Jadeja, who is yet to feature at the World Cup, would be a useful addition with his left-arm spin and powerful batting.
“Maybe try Jadeja, he is a utility player,” Azhar, who is the only Indian captain to lead the team in three World Cups (1992, 1996, 1999) told AFP.
“In the last game (against Bangladesh) I thought maybe Jadeja could have played because you had a very thin batting line-up.
“Jadeja on these (English) wickets with the ball holding up and not coming on to the bat will be a force to reckon with. He is also a good fielder and a lusty batsman. They should try him against Sri Lanka.”
Veteran big-hitter MS Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav have twice faced flak from pundits and on social media for not accelerating the score in the final few overs. Their intent was questioned in India’s only league loss to England, when they managed just 39 runs from the last five overs when 71 was needed for victory.
