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Former Australian wicketkeeper-batter Brad Haddin has stated that even though Ravindra Jadeja is a good allrounder and is a good spinner, India should play Kuldeep Yadav as the attacking spinner.

India and England began their five-match Test series on a negative as they lost the series opener by 5 wickets at Headingley. The team still has a chance to level and even clinch the series as they face the hosts in 2nd Test from 2nd July at Edgbaston in Birmingham.

In the first Test, Ravindra Jadeja was the sole spinner in the lineup. He picked up just a single wicket throughout the two innings, and did not bring out impressive outcomes with his spin. Now, former Australian wicketkeeper-batter Brad Haddin has asked for Jadeja to be dropped in the next match.

In the latest episode of his LiSTNR Sport Podcast, Brad Haddin shared his concern over Ravindra Jadeja’s performance. He stated that India should keep Kuldeep Yadav in the team. He mentioned that Kuldeep will be able to play the role of an attacking spinner as he gets to bowl along with pacers like Mohammed Siraj.

“Are we seeing the decline of Ravindra Jadeja? I mean yes, he is effective in Indian conditions and knows how hard it is to play left-arm spin in India, but I don’t think he is the best option to have in the team spin-wise. I would look at Kuldeep. Someone who is an attacking spinner, who can get wickets. You’ve got a couple of hold-in bowlers. Siraj can play that role, but I think they need to be a bit more bold in their selection of bowlers“Said.

Brad Haddin went on as much as to state that Ravindra Jadeja will not be needed in the team as Nitish Kumar Reddy can be taken in the XI for an attacking-spinner. He expressed that even though Jadeja is good as a spinner, India need to be more attacking.

“If (Nitish Kumar) Reddy plays, then you don’t have to play Jadeja and bring the attacking spin option. I think that’s one thing they’ve got to look at, especially away from home. I don’t think Jadeja can be effective. Yes, he is a good all-rounder, and he could play as a second spinner—hold at the other end. But I think they need to be more attacking, be willing to lose a Test match with some inexperienced bowlers, but change their mindset in the way they go about it,” he added.

The second Test of the five-match series is going to begin June 2nd, and will be held in Edgbaston, Birmingham.
India’s Test squad for England series: Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Kl Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwan, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sandul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav.

England’s squad for 2nd Test: Ben Stokes (capt), Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes.