Ashwin or Jadeja - Who should be the first choice spinner in Australia?

Factors favouring Jadeja

Jadeja is in fine form with the bat

#1 Ravindra Jadeja’s recent form with both the bat and ball has been fantastic, and he is fresh from his maiden Test century.

#2 Jadeja showed his skills both with the bat and ball at the Oval Test when he replaced Ashwin. Though the main criterion for selection between Ashwin and Jadeja is their bowling skills, India would need to utilise all their available resources to face the Australian challenge.

#3 In Test matches, Jadeja can hold one end up with his economical bowling. Kohli can rotate and attack with the fast bowlers at the other end. Jadeja is a more accurate wicket-to-wicket bowler.

#4 Outside Asia, Jadeja is a better batsman than Ashwin. Jadeja has contributed with the bat whenever India decided to go in with five bowlers. The fact that he is a left-hander in the middle-order is an added advantage. Jadeja's overall batting average in 39 matches is 32. His batting average in SENA countries is equally good at 28 with two fifties in eight Test matches.

#5 Jadeja, with his aggressive intent, can bat better with the tail.

#6 Jadeja is definitely a better fielder than Ashwin. Jadeja is the live wire in the field and his very presence would lift the fielding standards of the entire team.

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Factors against Jadeja

Jadeja is yet to play a Test match in Australia

#1 Jadeja is yet to play a Test match in Australia.

#2 If you leave aside the Oval Test, the last time Jadeja played in a Test match in a SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) country was in England in 2014. Jadeja lacks the experience of playing in alien conditions in recent times.

#3 Jadeja lacks the variety to surprise the batsmen on unresponsive wickets.

Comparative records of Ashwin and Jadeja in SENA countries:

Ashwin

Matches - 15, Wickets 42, Runs scored - 616 Bat. Avg- 26, 50s - 2

Jadeja

Matches - 8, Wickets - 25, Runs scored - 366, Bat. Avg - 28, 50s -2

The above figures don't throw too much light into the debate. On current form, Jadeja should be the obvious choice when it comes down to these two. Ashwin is an intelligent cricketer but of late has struggled to adapt to alien conditions.

Between Ashwin and Jadeja, whoever plays the first Test in Adelaide would be delighted that he would not be up against David Warner and Steve Smith. A wonderful prospect for India to win a Test series in Australia.