World Cup 2019: 5 reasons why Ravindra Jadeja should be in India's playing XI 

The World Cup 2019 has commenced in England and Wales with seven matches being played out thus far in this edition. India will be featuring in its first game against South Africa at The Rose Bowl in Southampton and all eyes will be on the 'Men in Blue'.

In the lead-up to India's first game, there has been a widespread buzz about the best playing eleven that India could field but with KL Rahul essaying a classic century against Bangladesh in the warm-up encounters, the number four spot seems to be cemented for the opening game.

However, on the bowling front, India have a couple of issues to address with the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Kuldeep Yadav failing to hit form in the recent past. However, one man who has impressed with his all-round skill in the recent past is Ravindra Jadeja, who has also staked a claim for a spot in the playing eleven.

Here are five reasons why Ravindra Jadeja deserves to start for India on Wednesday.

---

#5 Jadeja offers team balance

One of the greatest strengths of a strong unit in the World Cup is their ability to bat deep and take the game into the slog overs. Teams like Australia and New Zealand have batting up to number nine while England's No.11 in Adil Rashid can also hit the long ball.

India, on the other hand cannot bank on the likes of Kumar, Shami and Chahal to tonk the ball and this is where playing Ravindra Jadeja at No.8 provides more assurance to the top order and also improves the team balance.

Assuming that Bhuvneshwar Kumar plays in the same 11, Kumar's ability to contribute with some runs, albeit no big hits could also strengthen the overall team balance.

#4 Poor form of Bhuvneshwar and Kuldeep

Jadeja can apply breaks on the scoring and pick wickets

Since the last few years, a wrist spinner's and death bowler's presence in any ODI team has played a huge role in restricting the opposition batting unit. Players such as Adil Rashid, Shadab Khan, Adam Zampa and Imran Tahir have all earned a massive status with their team while India's contingent also has a great presence in Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav.

However, India's pressing issue is the form of Kuldeep Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. With flat pitches expected at this World Cup, Jadeja’s experience could come to the fore during tough situations.

Ever since his comeback to the one day team in 2018, he has picked up 19 wickets in 15 ODI cricket at an excellent economy of 4.77. His ability to tie up a loose end could also help the other bowlers in picking up wickets.

#3 Improvement as a batsman

Jadeja's performances have been good with the bat this year

As an Indian fan when you think about Jadeja’s batting, the first thing that would come to your mind is the 2009 T20 world cup match against England. With India chasing a mediocre target, Jadeja was promoted to number four ahead of an in-form Yuvraj Singh, for reasons best known to MS Dhoni.

What transpired was a frustrating and at times painful 35-ball 25. India went on to lose the match by 3 runs and Jadeja became a laughing stock on social media. However, the 2009 Ravindra Jadeja and 2019 Ravindra Jadeja can be viewed as stark contrasts.

The improvement in Jadeja’s batting has been immense. In his last 10 test innings, he has two eighties and a hundred at an average of 53. In the recently concluded Indian Premier League, he had an average of 35 in the limited opportunities that he got and was striking at 120.

As he showed in the practice games, he could be the perfect foil for Hardik Pandya during the latter half of the innings with a mix of patience and assurance. Also, with Shikhar Dhawan being the only other left-hander, including Jadeja will give some much-needed variety to the Indian batting order.

#2 Terrific Fielder

Jadeja is one of the best fielders in this Indian setup

What Jadeja brings to the field in every game is unparalleled and almost every Indian cricket fan would agree that Ravindra Jadeja is easily the best fielder in the Indian team at the moment. In conditions that provide very little assistance to the bowlers, time and again we have seen that a special effort in the field through a spectacular catch or an improbable run out changes the course of the match.

This World Cup has already seen an absolutely outstanding catch by Ben Stokes and Ravindra Jadeja would be itching to get on the field and throw himself around, saving runs or taking crucial catches that could have a major say on the outcome of the game.

Having a player who can provide something special in the field gives a big boost to the bowlers especially when there is no assistance from the wickets. Moreover, in close matches saving those 5-10 extra runs might prove to be decisive and Jadeja is one who is certainly the best of the lot of fielders.

#1 Experience

Jadeja was in fine form during the 2013 Champions Trophy

If one was to turn the clock back to the 2013 Champions Trophy triumph, Ravindra Jadeja was one of the major reasons for India’s win. He was the standout player in the finals and made some significant contributions with the bat, ball and on the field throughout the tournament.

The experience of having won a world event in England and having been a part of the Indian team that made the semifinals at the 2015 world cup will be a massive boost for Jadeja, provided he makes the starting XI.

As is the case with Indian teams at global events, the expectations from the fans are immense. With both Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal playing their first World Cup, having someone like Jadeja in the eleven to guide them or take up the onus to put pressure on the opposition might be an extremely important factor - especially in situations when the batsmen are dominating the period of play.