India lost that Test by eight wickets and their decision to field two spinners in the XI in damp conditions was heavily criticized.
For the record, Ashwin bowled brilliantly, taking 2-18 in 15 overs and 2-17 in 10 overs in the two innings. Jadeja took one wicket in 7.2 overs in the first innings and bowled eight overs in the second innings.
It’s WTC final time again, and India face a similar dilemma as they prepare to meet the Aussies in what Steve Smith calls “spin-friendly, India-like conditions at the Oval”. But would it really be spin-friendly?
The Oval Test is traditionally the last of the English summer in warm conditions. India will play there from June 7. Interestingly, there has never been a Test in June at The Oval. In the last 10 Tests at the venue, fast bowlers have bowled 2413.3 overs, taking 252 wickets at a strike rate of 57.4, while spin has only been used for 741.4 overs and 68 wickets have taken 65.4 balls per wicket.
What should India do? Pick both Ashwin and Jadeja? Or play only one of them? In overseas assignments, Jadeja has been preferred over Ashwin when fit and his performances, especially with the bat, since 2020 have justified his inclusion in the squad.
Ashwin’s former coach Sunil Subramanian, former Tamil Nadu left-arm spinner and former Indian team manager, admitted that it will not be a straight call. “If both are bowling well, you might be tempted to play both. But if the weather forecast is gloomy, you need three top-class fast bowlers. Only Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj would make that cut.” You need to fit the rest of the bowling lineup around him,” he told TOI.
when india last played WTC Final At Southampton, under the captain-coach duo of Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri, Ashwin paid the price for poor performances by the batsmen and Jasprit Bumrah, who went wicketless in the Test, and was on the bench for all five Tests of the series . obeyed.
This time though, Shastri wants both Ashwin and Jadeja in the XI to make up for the lack of quality in the seam-bowling department in Bumrah’s absence. Talking to ICC Review, Shastri said, ‘Four fast bowlers, one all-rounder. It’s a good combination in England. This allows Rohit Sharma to control the game. But if you don’t have quality in your pace attack, play another spinner because Ashwin is quality. If the pitch is hard and dry, you need two spinners.
Subramanian feels that India will have to pick Shardul.
“You need someone to bat well down the order and he has a good overseas record, taking seven wickets in Johannesburg v South Africa (Jan 2022).”
He also feels that the fourth bowling option could be a fast bowler between left-arm pacer Jaydev Unadkat or Umesh Yadav.
“Jaydev may not be clear but when the ball moves it can be a different story. If we play him, and if you are playing only one spinner, then it makes sense to play Ashwin, because both Starc and Unadkat will trouble him and the Australian team has five left-handers.
Former wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik, who was officiating in that 2021 WTC final in Southampton, felt India made a mistake by playing two spinners. Subramaniam also feels the same way.
“In the early part of the English summer, scores are not high because there is a lot of rain. The spinner’s role in those conditions will be limited to only 12 or 13 overs a day. Also, since it is a one-off and there is no chance to reduce your overs, There will be no penalty points, which is possible if you have a four-man pace attack, 4-1 combo can be tried. But in the nets if they see that only Shami and Siraj are bowling well, They will be forced to go with Shardul and play both Ashwin and Jadeja.”
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting also feels that India will play both Ashwin and Jadeja.
“Jadeja can retain that No.6 batting spot. His batting has improved so much that they can now pick him as a batsman who can bowl a few overs if required. There is no doubt that Ashwin is more skilful and a better Test bowler than Jadeja. But if Jadeja can maintain that batting position and then as the game progresses, into the fourth and fifth day, if it starts to turn, then you have a really high-class second spin-bowling option, if necessary. Ponting said in the ICC Review Podcast.
Subramanian felt Ashwin loses out to Jadeja in overseas Tests as the Saurashtra all-rounder has made a more meaningful contribution.
“We have to realize that Jaddu got into the overseas XI because of the space vacated by Ashwin. Ashwin is highly skilful but has not made an impact apart from the last tour of Australia. Kuldeep came in the middle and took the wicket. If it was Australia or South Africa, I would have picked Ashwin because of the bounce. But he hasn’t bowled decisively in England yet.”
Like Ponting, who felt that India should have played Hardik Pandya for a one-off game, Subramanian also highlighted some errors in selection.
“With KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer unfit, they should have picked Wriddhiman Saha and played Hardik. He would have given the right balance to this team.”