Ashwin took six wickets Surrey In his last first-class game, he was ruled out for the first Test against England on Wednesday, as India went with four fast bowlers.
“I think if you played Ashwin, the tail would have been very long. You didn’t know how much spin would actually be used. Jaddu has bowled three out of 50 overs till tea.
Harbhajan told PTI, “So the overs you use spin, Jaddu can bowl those overs.
“And if you look at the overseas performances, Jaddu has been a better batsman and has a strong presence in the lower order,” said Harbhajan, who has played over 100 Tests for India.
Harbhajan feels that JadejaWith 221 wickets in 52 matches, he could never be added as a second-choice spinner, at least in overseas conditions where he can bat at No.
“And is it because Jaddu hasn’t taken wickets? It’s the first Test of the series, you want to win but at the same time, you want to build up your defense as well. You don’t want to take advantage of it on the batting front and I think if the team management thinks so, it is fine.”
But isn’t it a negative idea to drop Ashwin, who has taken more than 400 wickets?
“Ideally, if you think Ashwin is your front-line spinner then he should have played. But if the team management feels that Ashwin’s presence lightens the lower middle order a bit, maybe they should have that angle as well. should be allowed to be traced.”
When it comes to overseas conditions, Jadeja is, according to Harbhajan, as good as Ashwin.
“If you look at the overseas records, there is not much to choose between Ash and Jaddu. Yes, if you have taken just six wickets for Surrey, you will find it tough. But Test cricket has a different view.
“Obviously, with six wickets in the last first-class game, he was bound to be confident. But you also don’t want a situation where you’re 75 for 5 and Ashwin is running into the bat.”
He scored a century on a different track in Chennai recently?
“Chennai century was a different innings on a different track. Here the lower order players can struggle for a total of 100 runs in five innings. So a Chennai century cannot be an indicator of his playing as an all-rounder at Trent Bridge.”
As soon as one picks four fast or seam bowlers, Harbhajan feels that “the workload is shared equally” and you only need tight lines from the overs that your spinner bowls.
Harbhajan signed off, “In no case will this surface make a great turn. So if the turn isn’t offered, play a guy who can bat better and lengthen the tail a bit.”
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