Legendary Indian all-rounder Kapil Dev identified Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja as his favorite all-rounders in world cricket at present, but lamented the fact that the latter was not at his best with the ball. Jadeja and Ashwin have been India’s designated all-rounders in red-ball cricket for some time now. Both have often played either with the bat or the ball and sometimes both have helped India win matches. Jadeja was India’s third highest scorer in the first Test against New Zealand with a crucial 50-run knock. It was the fifth wicket of 121 between Jadeja and debutant Shreyas Iyer (103) that gave India the lead before the new arrival of Tim Southee. New Zealand back in competition.
India’s 1983 World Cup winning captain Kapil, during his tour of the RCGC Open Golf Championship in Kolkata on Friday, was no doubt the best all-rounder of Jadeja and Ashwin.
Kapil added Jadeja’s name and said, “I just go to watch cricket and enjoy the game these days. I don’t see from your point of view. My job is to enjoy the game. I would say Ashwin, salute him.” Asked about the current best all-rounder in world cricket, as quoted by news agency PTI.
The 62-year-old, who is widely regarded as one of the best all-rounders to have played the game, said that Jadeja has improved a lot as a batsman but his form with the ball has deteriorated.
He said, “Jadeja… what a wonderful cricketer he is, but unfortunately he improved as a batsman and came to me as a bowler.
Kapil said, ‘When he started he was a much better bowler but now he is a much better batsman. Whenever India needs him, he will get runs. But he is not performing well as a bowler.
At least to some extent, the statistics echo Kapil’s words. Jadeja has played 18 Test matches in the last three years, in which he has scored 800 runs. His average of 38.09 during that period is much better than his career average of 34.29. There has been a slight downward curve in his numbers with the ball.
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In the last three years, Jadeja has taken only 42 wickets at an average of 32.09 which is much higher than his career average of 25.09. He did not manage to take a single five-wicket haul during this period. However, it has to be remembered that out of those 18 Test matches, 11 were away from home.
Jadeja, who went without a wicket on the second day against New Zealand in Kanpur, would be hoping to get India back in the game and find a place in the Kiwi batting order.
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