Kohli was forced to pick Jadeja: Former India cricketer

Published on: Oct 21, 2018 9:42 pm IST|Updated on: Oct 21, 2018 9:42 pm IST

Team India rested Kuldeep Yadav for the first ODI against Windies and instead picked Ravindra Jadeja as the second spinner along with three pace bowlers. This strategy misfired as Jadeja leaked runs and Windies amassed a total of 322 runs. This decision came under the scanner and fans criticized Kohli for picking Jadeja over Kuldeep. However former India cricketer Ajit Agarkar has defended Kohli and has said that the Indian captain was forced to pick the left-arm spinner.

The pitch required three seamers: Agarkar

The former Indian pace bowler was speaking with an online cricket portal when he said that it is just how the team is at the moment that Kohli has been forced to play Jadeja. Agarkar feels that there would have been a third spinner if the pitch would have had a bit more for spinners. But according to the pace bowler, the pitch looks good and that’s why the team needed three seamers.

AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi

Agarkar feels Jadeja brings balance into the team

At the same time, Agarkar pointed out that there are far too many specialized batsmen and specialized bowlers in the team and the former Indian cricketer believes that Jadeja seems to be the only player who can do a bit of both. So Agarkar feels that Jadeja has been forced into the selection for the first game.

Also read: Kohli reveals perfect number four batsman

However, Jadeja had mixed returns in the first ODI. He did claim two wickets but had to pay 66 runs in ten overs for his wickets. Windies hammered 322 runs in 50 overs but courtesy of sublime centuries by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, India chased the target with ease.

Twitter slams Jadeja’s selection for first ODI

The move to pick the left-arm spinner ahead of Kuldeep Yadav didn’t go well with the fans and they expressed their displeasure on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/Prakash72852004/status/1053972589687713792

 

 

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