Ravindra Jadeja edges over Krunal Pandya in T20Is: Sanjay Bangar

Bangar wants someone, who can bowl four overs and also bat efficiently in the shortest format.

Sanjay Bangar, the former India batting coach, feels that Ravindra Jadeja is a more suitable all-rounder than Krunal Pandya for T20Is. Jadeja has replaced the latter for the upcoming T20I series against the West Indies, scheduled to get underway on December 6. Irrespective of formats, Jadeja has been in jaw-dropping form ever since his half-century in the 2019 World Cup semi-final.

Of late, Jadeja has even been used as an attacking batting option in Tests, promoting him above the likes of Wriddhiman Saha, such has been the southpaw’s form. The T20 World Cup in Australia will be played next year, and it’s unlikely that both will play in the same eleven, bearing in mind that they provide the same skill-sets. Krunal played both the T20I series against West Indies and Bangladesh.

As per Bangar, the left-handed Krunal hasn’t been trusted to bowl his quota of four overs in T20Is and Jadeja’s form makes the latter a better option in the shorter format. Hence, Bangar, who’s also a former Indian cricketer, emphasized the importance of someone, who can bat at seven and also bowl four overs.

Jadeja has been in great form recently, feels Sanjay Bangar

“You require a wrist spinner in the T20 format, it has been a very major component in India’s success wherein 2 wrist spinners played a massive role in most of the one day’s and T20 series the team has had across conditions hence you will need a bowler who is capable of bowling the complete 4 overs and also bat at No.7,” Bangar was quoted as saying in Times Now.

“Hence, I feel Ravindra Jadeja edges over Krunal Pandya here as Krunal hasn’t been able to deliver the complete 4 overs at times and Jadeja has been in great form recently,” Bangar added.

Jadeja’s T20I numbers aren’t overly impressive though. In 44 matches, the Saurashtra cricketer has a mere 154 runs with a top score of 25. With the ball, he has picked up 33 wickets, though at a pretty frugal economy of 7.12.

Coming to Krunal, it’s been a bit over a year when the Baroda all-rounder forayed into the international level. In 18 T20Is, Krunal has 121 runs and 14 wickets. He was also the Player of the Series when India played three T20Is in the Caribbean earlier this year.

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