Legendary off-spinner Erapalli Prasanna today questioned India's logic behind ignoring Ravichandran Ashwin and termed team management's move to play Ravindra Jadeja as a strike bowler a "disastrous" one.
"Ravindra Jadeja should play in all Tests but only as a stock bowler. He is not a wicket-taker. Jadeja's capability as a spinner doesn't make him a strike bowler. Now if the team management forces a stock bowler to become a strike bowler, then disaster is waiting to happen," Prasanna told PTI during an interview today.
"Ashwin should have played in all three Test matches. From my experience of playing in England, I can tell you that even if Ashwin plays at Old Trafford, he will come good at Oval, which can assist spinners. Jadeja should be used as a supporting option with Ashwin in lead role," the 74-year-old, who has 189 Test victims from 49 Tests, feels.
Jadeja has so far taken only 8 wickets bowling 142.3 overs in three Test matches with a strike-rate of close to 18 overs for a wicket.
"Doesn't the figures say it all. If a bowler needs more than 100 balls to get a wicket means that a batsmen is getting well settled by that time.
"Have you seen Jadeja beat the bat of any leading batsmen consistently unless there is some turn and bite on offer from the 22 yards? If not then how can you solely depend on Jadeja?" questions former great, who has often been dubbed as best off-spinner of his generation by former Australian captain Ian Chappell.
