Experienced Indian batsman Ajinkya Rahane has echoed Zaheer Khan’s comments over Ravindra Jadeja’s ineffectiveness with the ball throughout the three-match ODI series between India and New Zealand. The former India pacer had challenged Jadeja’s control while bowling in the middle overs.
Rahane underlined the necessity of having variations as a spin bowler in One-Day Internationals. The cricketer-commentator also compared Axar Patel’s ability to change it up with the ball and his bowling angles to
Ravindra Jadeja’s somewhat one-dimensional approach to bowling in the longer white-ball format.
“In ODIs, you have to have variations. Though Jadeja is a proven performer across conditions, he bowls with a similar pace and can become predictable in ODIs. With one fielder up, it becomes really easy for the batter, and particularly if a guy bowls at a similar speed. With Axar, he has variations where he changes speed and use angles at the crease really well. There is good competition, and I am sure Jadeja understands, as he knows his game really well,” shared Rahane on Live.
Rahane concluded speaking on the topic by noting that Jadeja will have to devise other plans while bowling in ODIs on a pitch which is not a spin-conducive deck to be more threatening than usual.
“Jadeja likes to keep his game simple with the ball. But you have to evolve with the game based on conditions. On a turner, he’s lethal. But on a normal wicket, he’ll have to adjust and come up with different plans, using angles better,” he added.
Jadeja did not manage to pick up a single wicket in the three ODIs India played against the Kiwis. He ended up with figures of 0/56 in nine overs (Vadodara), 0/44 in eight overs, and 0/41 in six overs (Indore). The Kiwis were able to navigate his left arm with relative ease. Having retired from T20Is in 2024 itself, Jadeja is expected to next feature for India after the T20I series and the T20 World Cup.
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