Worst Since 2023! Ravindra Jadeja's Off-Spin Woes Pushes Him To A New Low

Ravindra Jadeja's slump against off-spinners continued in Boxing Day Test [Source: AP Photos]

Ravindra Jadeja, who's usually known for his aggressive batting, has been showing an unexpected struggle against off-spinners lately. He’s currently in action during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, and it looks like the same issues he faced last year are still haunting him.

Since the start of 2023, Jadeja has been dismissed by off-spinners a staggering 13 times in Test, which is more than any other batter during this stretch. This trend definitely raises eyebrows regarding his ability to handle quality off-spin bowling.

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Lyon Traps Jadeja At MCG To Add To All-Rounder's Struggle

During the fourth Test at the MCG, Nathan Lyon got him again, trapping him LBW for just 17 runs. Lyon has turned into something of a nemesis for Jadeja, having dismissed him seven times now. No one else has managed to get him out more often. 

In the match, Nathan Lyon struck a crucial blow for Australia on Day 3, trapping Ravindra Jadeja leg before wicket. The off-spinner bowled a slider on a length, slightly quicker and angling in with the arm. Jadeja was hurried by the variation and found himself caught on the crease. He missed the across-the-line tuck, and the ball skidded through to strike him on the pads in front of the stumps. The umpire raised the finger, and the DRS confirmed the on-field decision, with ball-tracking showing the ball crashing into the stumps.

Jadeja's Concerning Average Against Off-Spinners 

Looking at the numbers, it’s clear that Ravindra Jadeja is struggling. Since 2023, his batting average in Test against off-spinners sits at a disappointing 22.38 with his overall stats against the lot being 29.9. Compare that to his 32.9 average against right-arm pacers, and it’s clear he performs much better against other types of bowlers, where his average even jumps to nearly 45.

This isn’t just a recent issue, Jadeja has had trouble with off-spinners since 2018. His average against off-spinners is a frustrating 29.85 across formats where he racked up 1714 runs against them in 212 innings.

For the Indian team, this weakness is definitely a concern, especially with the calibre of off-spinners they’re likely to face in upcoming matches. If Jadeja wants to keep making those vital contributions to the Test side, he really needs to work on this aspect of his game, given he has to prove his worth in India's second innings at the Boxing Day Test.

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