IND vs PAK: India’s possible plans after Jadeja’s injury

Ravindra Jadeja's injury leaves a lot to think for the Indian team management

To the shock of Indian cricket fans Ravindra Jadeja has been ruled out of the ongoing Asia Cup due to a right-knee injury. The absence of Jadeja will hurt India in more ways than one. It is going to be hard for India to find a replacement for a multidimensional cricketer like Ravindra Jadeja. 

In both the matches that he played in the tournament, Ravindra Jadeja played a vital role for India. Against Pakistan he scored 35 crucial runs for his team off 29 deliveries, while against Hong Kong he played his role as a bowler. He also displayed his brilliance as a fielder when he dismissed Nizakat Khan off a run out. 

Ravindra Jadeja in displaying his fielding brilliance against Hong Kong

Now in his absence India will be looking for someone who can be more than handy with both bat and bowl and maintain the balance that the Indian team had with Jadeja. With Jadeja the playing XI looked like:

India's playing XI in Jadeja's presence

Jadeja’s role in the team

Jadeja was that dynamic player in the team who was used as a floater in the batting order. Also his presence meant that a left handed batter was there in the middle order providing variety in the batting. 

Besides this, Jadeja has the capability of extracting some quick economical overs in the middle phase creating a pressure on the opposition batting. The pressure created by Jadeja meant wickets from the other end.

So, a huge loss to cover up for India. How could India cover up for such a major missing?

Plan 1

Deepak Hooda proving his worth in the series versus Ireland

India can bring Deepak Hooda in place of Jadeja in the eleven. Hooda is more than decent with the bat in hand and also can bowl a couple of overs in the middle. With Hardik in the team Hooda can easily play the role of the sixth bowler. 

Plan 2

Ravichandran Ashwin can be a great option in absence of Ravindra Jadeja

Opting for Ravichandran Ashwin in Jadeja’s place can be an option. Ashwin has been pretty good with the bat and can also be used in the upper middle order if needed. Also, his partnership with Yuzvendra Chahal in the middle overs played a lot of dividends for Rajasthan Royals in the latest IPL. India can reap benefits from the complimentary style of bowling of Chahal and Ashwin. 

Plan 3

India can play both Ashwin and Hooda in the next match and drop Avesh Khan. Avesh has failed to find his rhythm in the tournament and has conceded 72 runs in the 6 overs he has bowled picking up just 2 wickets. So bringing Hooda and Ashwin into the team might be a great option India can go with. 

Plan 4

Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik might not have a place together in the playing XI.

India can play Rishabh Pant in the team and drop Dinesh Karthik. For the bowling part the team management can opt for Ashwin in place of Avesh. This will allow the team to have a left handed batter in the middle order and also a more than handy bowling option. 

Plan 5

Opting for Rishabh Pant in place KL Rahul can be an option

There is also another option that India can take. Let us be honest KL Rahul has not been at his best. So, India can go with Rishabh Pant at the top order and bring in Hooda or Ashwin along with him. 

This will also give India a variety in the batting order and also provide the dynamism to the batting order at the top that India is missing due to KL Rahul’s missing rhythm.

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