“Post 2017, he is the most improved all-rounder” – Dinesh Karthik on Ravindra Jadeja

Former Indian wicket-keeper bat Dinesh Karthik feels Ravindra Jadeja is the most improved all-rounder since 2017. Jadeja has definitely improved his batting drastically in the last few years and the results are palpable.

The left-hander scored a crucial knock of 86 runs in the first innings of the opening Test match against Bangladesh at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, which India won by a gargantuan margin of 280 runs. 

Jadeja added a crucial alliance of 199 runs with Ravichandran Ashwin to help India post a total of 376 runs on the board after they were put into bat. Furthermore, Jadeja bagged two wickets in the first innings and then returned with figures of 3-58 in the second essay.

Jadeja has delivered the goods with both bat and ball in the last few years and he has been a consistent performer for the team.

Dinesh Karthik said on Cricbuzz, “Post 2017, he is the most improved all-rounder. I think what he has learned is how to use his talent and convert it into results. He was always someone who could bat a bit, bowl well, but today, he’s become that reliable batter. Under pressure he’s got runs, you send him up the order, he gets runs, a good player of fast bowling.”

Karthik added Jadeja and Axar Patel are similar type of all-rounders for Team India. The cricketer-turned-commentator reckons Jadeja is good against the pacers whereas Patel is a better player against the spinners.

“In fact, I feel Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel are similar all-rounders, not the same. Their skills and strengths even in left-arm spin are different, and fast bowling as well. I feel Axar Patel is a much better player of spin as an all-rounder, whereas Ravindra Jadeja is a very good player of fast bowling.”

The former gloveman added either Axar Patel or Kuldeep Yadav will replace Akash Deep in the second Test match against the Tigers.

“I feel Kuldeep Yadav or Axar Patel will definitely come in place of Akash Deep. The pitch in Kanpur is not going to be too conducive to fast bowling. It’ll stay low, black soil pitch, I’ve seen the UP Premier League that happened at a similar timeline last year, it’s not a great place for fast bowlers to be bowling long spells. Kuldeep is my preferred option because he gives good variety to that attack and the local boy as well.”

The second Test match between India and Bangladesh will be played at Green Park, Kanpur from September 27.