Sanjay Bangar feels Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur would compete for a spot in India’s T20I squad. Jadeja has recovered from his injury and rejoined the Indian team for the forthcoming T20I and Test series against Sri Lanka. Thakur, on the other hand, has been given time off for both series. Sanjay Bangar was asked about Jadeja’s optimum place in the Indian T20I squad during a debate on the Star Sports show Game Plan. He replied:
“The more I think about it, it appears that it will be a toss-up between Shardul Thakur and Ravindra Jadeja. That might be one of the reasons Shardul Thakur has been rested now that Jadeja has recovered fully.” Jadeja has improved as a cricketer by leaps and bounds in recent years. A completely healthy Jadeja might be one of the first names in any Indian playing XI right now. Jadeja has yet to play his best T20I cricket, with 256 runs at a below-par average of 17.06 in 55 appearances. In six games, the left-arm spinner has taken 46 wickets. Jadeja, according to the former India cricketer, is a suitable substitute for Thakur. Bangar elaborated:
“Over the last year or so, those two players have performed admirably as all-rounders for India, both with bat and ball. Ravindra Jadeja’s batting has improved in recent years, and as a left-hander, he may provide the right-left mix that the squad has been striving for in the lower order. I believe Jadeja is a direct replacement for Shardul Thakur’s post.”
