IND vs ENG: Sanjay Manjrekar Questioned Ravindra Jadeja’s All-Round Value After Headingley Test

Ravindra Jadeja’s role as India’s premier spin all-rounder is facing serious questions after a quiet outing in the first Test against England at Headingley. While India put up strong totals in both innings, Jadeja’s contribution with bat and ball was underwhelming, especially at a time when the team needed him to step up.

Jadeja managed just 11 runs in the first innings and remained unbeaten on 25 in the second. But more importantly, he struggled to support the lower order in both innings an area where he was once known to thrive. India’s tail couldn’t stretch the innings further, and Jadeja’s inability to farm the strike or accelerate raised concerns.

With the ball, he went wicketless in the first innings while Jasprit Bumrah ran through the English lineup with a five-wicket haul. The pitch wasn’t offering much for spinners early on, but Jadeja also failed to create impact on Day 5, when the surface showed some rough patches. By the time he dismissed Ben Stokes, the match was already slipping away.

What’s hurt Jadeja’s case even more is the decision to pick him over Ravichandran Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav. He was chosen primarily for his added batting strength. But as Sanjay Manjrekar pointed out on ESPN Cricinfo, that strength may no longer be what it once was.

“One of the reasons India opted for Ravindra Jadeja over Ravichandran Ashwin or even Kuldeep Yadav was his batting ability. However, in my view, that is not the same as it was 3-4 years ago. This could lead to some discussion, as India need contributions from their spinners. If Jadeja isn’t providing that, they may have to consider playing a second spinner. The question then arises: can they play two spinners in England? These are the kinds of questions that will come up,” Manjrekar said.

He also highlighted that Jadeja’s batting numbers have dipped: his average was 35.13 in 2023 and dropped further to 29.28 in 2024. Since the 2024 home season, Jadeja has managed only two half-centuries, one of which came at The Gabba.

With the series still alive, Jadeja’s spot might not be under immediate threat. But if these performances continue, the selectors and team management will have some big decisions to make.