Former England left-arm tweaker, Monty Panesar, feels India “must” play spin twins Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja together in their playing XI for the much-anticipated final of the World Test Championship against New Zealand.
India will be taking on the Black Caps in Southampton in an ultimate clash, starting June 18 in Southampton, with the eye towards claiming the prestigious WTC trophy. And Panesar reckons India must pick Ashwin and Jadeja both, something they have rarely done before while playing in foreign conditions.
Panesar, speaking to India Today, hailed Ashwin and Jadeja, who form one of the most threatening bowling duos seen in Test match cricket history and backed their inclusion together for the marquee fixture against the Kiwis.
“India must play both Jadeja and Ashwin. There is no one better than these two at present in the world. They bowl in partnership, understand each other’s game, and overall they are street-smart cricketers,”
he said.
Panesar, of course, isn’t alone in backing the Ashwin-Jadeja duo to play together in the WTC final, as many feel their spin prowess and ability to contribute with the bat, provide depth to the team, make them indispensable to India’s cause in all conditions.
India have long desired to play five-pronged attacks in foreign conditions – and the rise of Rishabh Pant as a capable No.6 along with Jadeja’s remarkable progression as a valiant No.7 batter – now allow the team to do that.
Since the start of 2016, Jadeja has taken 152 Test wickets from 35 matches at an average of only 24.57, including 5 five-wicket hauls. But, given the context, has more importantly scored 1,481 runs from his 49 innings while averaging 46.28 along the way. In India’s previous cycle of overseas tours, Jadeja produced a couple of stand-out knocks at The Oval and Sydney and showed promising signs with regards to his defensive technique.
In the same period, Ashwin has taken his craft as an off-spinner to another level, fetching a whopping 233 wickets at an average of just 24.15 since the start of 2016. Ashwin was magnificent on the tour of Australia earlier this year and also earned a bagful of wickets when England visited India in February-March, going past the incredible 400-mark in his career.
With the bat, Ashwin produced a commendable saviour act in the New Year’s Test against the Aussies last winter and took the confidence forward with him into the England series where he struck a century on a difficult surface at Chepauk. Ashwin’s recent Test batting performances augur well for India, who would’ve feared previously that they’ve lost his batting self and can’t anymore depend on him to contribute.
Panesar, meanwhile, also picked young opening batsman Shubman Gill ahead of his direct competitor Mayank Agarwal to partner with experienced Rohit Sharma at the top of the order in his ideal Indian XI for the WTC final. Gill replaced Agarwal during the trip to Australia and produced a couple of fantastic knocks. And even though he couldn’t retain his best form against England, Gill is still backed by many as the prime candidate for the second opener’s slot in the UK.
The rest of Panesar’s XI was on expected lines, as he named middle-order stalwarts Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane either side of skipper Virat Kohli, kept Rishabh Pant as his preferred gloveman and also picked Ishant Sharma, Mohammad Shami and Jasprit Bumrah in the pace attack.
Monty Panesar’s Indian XI for the WTC final against New Zealand
Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravi Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami
