India’s All-rounder Options In Tests: The visiting Australian side was expected to pose a stiff challenge. But none saw the decimation coming in the first Test in Nagpur. India completely outplayed Australia to win in 3 days. Their win was attributed mainly to the presence of three spin-bowling all-rounders. India’s greatest strength in home Tests is the presence of these quality all-rounders. They add the much-required depth to the side. India bats almost till number 9 in Tests, especially at home.
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We look at India’s All-rounder Options In Tests:
#7 Kuldeep Yadav
He has improved his batting credentials quite considerably in the last few months. Kuldeep Yadav showcased his batting prowess in the first Test against Bangladesh. His all-round showing won him the player of the match award.
He might not be high on the list of India’s all-round choices but he is slowly earning his stripes as one. Yadav will be India’s go-to spinner once the much-decorated spin twins hang up their boots.
#6 Hardik Pandya
He last played a Test for India in 2018. Hardik Pandya is one of the rare Indian all-rounders who has scored a century and bagged a fiver in Test cricket. He has not featured in a single Test owing to injury concerns. Pandya might very much be in line to play the WTC Final in June if India makes it. His ability to swing the ball at pace combined with his strong batting will help the team’s cause overseas.
#5 Washington Sundar
He made a stellar Test debut in Gabba, Brisbane. Sundar picked up 4 wickets and made important contributions with the bat in both innings. He continued his good run with the bat when England toured in 2021. Sundar is a spinner whose skillset is similar to that of Nathan Lyon. He thrives on bounce helping him outfox the batsmen. Sundar’s batting technique is solid. India can look to field Sundar at as high as number 5 in the batting order.
#4 Axar Patel
He is one of India’s leading all-rounders across formats. Axar Patel has added the power game to his batting. His batting numbers in Tests are a reflection of the time he has spent honing the skill. Patel has had a dream start to his Test career picking up wickets for fun. He is currently third in the pecking order of spinners. But Patel is as dangerous as the other two if the track offers assistance.
#3 Shardul Thakur
His all-round exploits at Gabba, Brisbane still remains a fresh memory among cricket fans. Shardul Thakur has played a great hand in India’s wins in Brisbane and Oval. He picked up 7 wickets in Centurion to singlehandedly keep India in the game. Thakur continues to remain India’s premier bowling allrounder overseas. He will be gearing up to represent the side in the WTC finals in England if India makes the cut.
#2 Ravichandran Ashwin
He is the only one on this list who has scored 5 Test centuries. It was the development of Ravichandran Ashwin as a batter that helped India play 5 bowlers on a regular basis at home. Ashwin reached the landmark of 450 Test wickets (second fastest) in the first Test against Australia. The conditions overseas don’t allow India the luxury of playing two spinners. But Ashwin’s class as an all-rounder cannot be discounted in any country.
#1 Ravindra Jadeja
He is the world’s number 1 allrounder across formats. Ravindra Jadeja is an absolute force of nature in all three departments of the game. He marked his return to international cricket picking up a fiver and scoring a 70 in the first Test. Jadeja is among the first names on the team sheet across formats. He is well and truly the pioneer of the term ‘3-D player’!
