Former Australian cricketer Tom Moody has expressed reservations about Ravindra Jadeja's suitability as India's No.7 batsman in the upcoming T20 World Cup. Moody emphasises the need for a player with a higher strike rate to make a significant impact in that position.
Despite Jadeja's strong performances with both bat and ball, his strike rate of 131.93 in the current IPL season may not justify his inclusion as a middle-order batsman. Moody told Star Sports that he would select Jadeja for his left-arm spin but does not consider him appropriate to bat at No.7 in the World Cup.
"I'd be taking Jadeja purely because I'm looking for the best left-arm spinning option. He's the best left-arm spinner in the country," Moody said on Star Sports.
"In my eleven, he's not batting at No.7. I don't think he's good enough to bat seven in a World Cup side. He's proven that with his strike rate. You need an impact-type player batting at seven," he added.
Former Indian cricketer K Srikanth supported Moody's views, recognising Jadeja as a crucial player in major matches, while also pointing out Axar Patel's potential match-winning capabilities. Srikanth believes Jadeja is likely to be in the starting lineup due to his experience and past performance, but Axar Patel's inclusion in the squad is equally important.
Srikanth highlighted the difficulty in choosing between Jadeja and Axar Patel, comparing them to indispensable parts of the team. He believes both players will play critical roles in India's success during the World Cup.
As the T20 World Cup squad announcement approaches, debates over player selections and batting positions continue to gain momentum. Experts and fans alike eagerly await the selectors' final decisions on the squad's composition.
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