Rohit Sharma was in denial at the post-match press conference, after India’s humiliating home series loss against New Zealand. The Ravichandran Ashwin-Ravindra Jadeja question was duly asked, and the India captain stonewalled on the spin duo.
“There’s too much expectation on those two guys,” said Rohit. “Every game they play, they are expected to take wickets, they are expected to run through the opponents and they are expected to win Test matches for us. I don’t think that’s fair. It’s the responsibility of all of us to make sure we get the Test match wins, not just the two guys.”
Of course, the skipper was never going to throw his two senior teammates under the bus, but deep down, the team management knows how Ashwin and Jadeja have struggled against the New Zealand batsmen in the ongoing series. Collectively, the two spinners have taken just 12 wickets and leaked runs. In spin-friendly Pune, they were out-bowled by Mitchell Santner and even by their junior teammate, Washington Sundar.
Yes, Rohit’s defensive captaincy, especially in the first session of the second Test in Pune, didn’t help the spinners. But the way they struggled to contain Rachin Ravindra & Co was a serious matter of concern. New Zealand came here with a clear plan. They attacked the Indian tweakers, never allowing them to settle into a rhythm. They weren’t afraid of going over the top. But given Ashwin and Jadeja’s experience and skill set, they were expected to come up with a counter-ploy.
Ashwin searched for the right length and right pace, while Jadeja’s control deserted him. He also struggled to get the zip off the wicket, something he is known for.
The series defeat against New Zealand ended India’s astounding streak of 18 consecutive home series wins. They were unbeaten at home for 12 years, and Ashwin and Jadeja were central to that golden run. Since forming a deadly spin partnership in 2012, Ashwin has taken 326 wickets in 55 home Tests, while Jadeja has accounted for 225 scalps in 47 matches. But the off-spinner from Tamil Nadu is 38, while the left-arm spinner from Saurashtra will turn 36 in a month. Father Time spares no one and they are gradually entering the twilight zone.
The question is, who next? Indian cricket has a like-for-like replacement for Jadeja in Axar Patel. Also, some other left-arm spinners like Manav Suthar and Saurabh Kumar are doing well in domestic cricket. But there’s no off-spinner in sight who can be a readymade replacement for Ashwin. Washington ran through New Zealand batting on Pune turner, but by his own admission, he is a specialist batsman who bowls off-spin.
And not only the spin department, India’s Test cupboard looks bare, with transition on the anvil. As far as batting is concerned, the team is going to Australia for a five-Test series with two walking wickets (on form), a fair-weather batsman who mostly scores runs in second innings, a middle-order batsman who has kept consistency at arm’s length and a callow youngster whose technique might come under the scanner on fast and bouncy Australian pitches.
The selectors have discarded CheteshwarPujara and Ajinkya Rahane because they are on the wrong side of thirty and without millions of followers on social media. As for the next generation, except Yashasvi Jaiswal, very few inspire confidence.
Moving to fast bowling, and in Mohammed Shami’s absence, Jasprit Bumrah lacks a world-class new-ball partner, which might hurt India in Australia.
Coming back to Ashwin and Jadeja, both have been picked for the tour Down Under. Can they regain their mojo? Some high-profile careers ended in Australia in 2011-12. The upcoming tour could see a repeat.
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After New Zealand’s stunning series victory, India’s path to the World Test Championship final at Lord’s has become steeper. With four wins needed in the remaining six matches, can Team India rise to the challenge? #WTC25 #INDvsNZ@gargiraut15 ✍🏻https://t.co/EA4fziKPiG
— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) October 27, 2024
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