Former England spinner Graeme Swann reckons India missed a trick when Ravindra Jadeja bowled from over the wicket to the hosts on the fourth day’s play in the fifth Test match at Edgbaston, Birmingham on Monday. Jadeja bowled from over the wicket to Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow right throughout the day as he was negative in his line.
The left-arm orthodox spinner was trying to hit the rough outside the leg-side but the ploy didn’t work at all for the experienced campaigner. India had taken three quick wickets after Zak Crawley and Alex Lees had added 107 runs for the opening stand but Jadeja could not put pressure from the other end.
Jadeja bowled 15 overs and conceded 53 runs and failed to create any opportunity. In fact, there wasn’t much help for him either and his bowling looked toothless.
Graeme Swann said on Sony Sports, “Where I think India missed a trick is Ravindra Jadeja bowling over the wicket. Ravindra is such a good bowler, he doesn’t need to bowl over the wicket. 100 for 3, chasing 370. There are certain moments in an innings where you have to be ruthless, and identify your time to have a go at the opposition.”
Swann believes India was too defensive when Jadeja was bowling. He added that you have to play a key role as a spinner in the fourth innings as you are expected to take a couple of wickets to put pressure on the opposition.
“Your job in the 4th innings, as a spinner, is to win the game for the team. That’s what you are expected to do, or at least take 2-3 wickets, pile on the pressure from one end. You can’t do that, bowling into a foothold without catchers. You are not going to take wickets. I would much rather see India go around the wicket.
“I know the pitch is not doing much, but he is world-class, Ravindra Jadeja has got 200 Test wickets. That’s how you win a game for India. You force the batters to play big shots.”
Meanwhile, England is in a dominating position as they need another 119 runs to win the rescheduled Test match. Zak Crawley and Alex Lees added 107 runs for the opening stand and then Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow continued their sublime form.
