.On Day 3, Jadeja participated in the warm-up before the formalities got underway. The all-round player didn’t appear to be uncomfortable at all.
There is some bright spot for Team India in the shape of Ravindra Jadeja. Despite all the heartbreaks of losing by an innings and 32 runs against South Africa in the Boxing Day Test and the news the next day of losing two more WTC points because of a sluggish over rate. The star all-rounder has resumed training and is probably going to be fit for selection for the New Year’s Test in Cape Town. He missed the series opener in Centurion owing to an upper back spasm that he felt on the morning of the Test match.
Due to his better batting ability in foreign conditions. Jadeja was always the favourite at No. 7 over R Ashwin. Nonetheless, India was forced to start the first Test with their best spinner. In conditions that were not ideal for spinners. Ashwin performed rather well with the ball going 1 for 41 in his 19 overs. However, India felt that Jadeja was missing at the bat. With the ball, the left-hander might have performed a similar hold-up job. But he was more suited to manage the pace and bounce of the South African fast bowlers with the bat.
Jadeja participated in the warm-up before the competition began on Day 3. According to news agency PTI. During the morning practice, the all-rounder ran many short strides of 30 to 40 metres without appearing to be in any kind of trouble.
Throughout the lesson, he also performed a few fitness drills.
Despite having a two-step run-up. He was mostly spot bowling.
He was seen turning a few as well as frequently hitting the target.
The nicest thing was that he bowled during the little session without showing any signs of caution.
India will probably play Ashwin and Jadeja in the second Test.
There is a good chance that Jadeja will make a comeback for the final and second Test in Cape Town. Which is still four days away. However, it might not take Ashwin’s place. The Indian team management might be tempted to play both Ashwin and Jadeja after Shardul Thakur’s performance as the fourth seamer. If nothing else they can at least keep one end up. So that Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj may attack from the other end.
Avesh Khan, who was in South Africa. Earlier with the India A team has also been called up by India for the Cape Town Test. This essentially guarantees that Prasidh Krishan won’t likely continue in his position. In the upcoming Test, India’s bowling arsenal might appear different with two spinners and three seamers in the lineup. Additionally, as the match goes on, the Cape Town pitch should be more favourable for spinners.
