Former England left-arm spinner Monty Panesar feels all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja “will be the X-factor” when India tackle the Kane Williamson-led New Zealand in the World Test Championship (WTC) ultimate at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton from June 18 onwards.
Panesar mentioned on Saturday that whereas so much will depend upon how the International Cricket Council (ICC) prepares the pitch for the inaugural WTC ultimate, “spinners will also play a crucial role” in the summit conflict.
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“For me, Ravindra Jadeja will be the X-factor. He’s been in terrific form in the Indian Premier League. If India decides to go with just one spinner, I’ll go with Jadeja instead of (Ravichandran) Ashwin as the spin-bowling option. Jadeja’s defensive bowling skill and being a left-armer give him an upper hand,” Panesar advised media.
During the IPL 2021 season, which was postponed indefinitely on May 4 as a consequence of a breach in the bio-secure bubble, Chennai Super Kings all-rounder Jadeja amassed 131 runs at 162.32 and picked up six wickets.
Panesar who was part of the England aspect between 2006 and 2013 and performed a half century of Tests, taking 167 wickets, added that for the five-match Test sequence towards India after the WTC ultimate, England would carry in the dwelling benefit and “go with green wickets”.
“Spinners will also play a crucial role in the WTC final in Southampton. We’ll have to see how the ICC prepares the pitch for the event. For the Test series, England will obviously go with a green wicket. But for the WTC final, I think the ICC should prepare a neutral wicket. It’ll be the perfect advertisement for the WTC if the final spans over 4 or 5 days,” Panesar mentioned.
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