Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has put forward a bold yet thought-provoking suggestion for the upcoming Champions Trophy, advocating for Ravindra Jadeja to be promoted to the crucial No. 4 position in India's batting lineup. Ashwin, known for his insightful analysis and cricketing wisdom, expressed that Jadeja's batting ability is being underutilized in the current role he plays at No. 7. While Jadeja has been effective with the bat in the lower middle order, Ashwin believes his potential can be better harnessed in the top order, especially at No. 4, where he would be able to face more deliveries and play a more impactful role in anchoring India's innings during crucial moments.
During a conversation on his YouTube channel, Ashwin proposed that Jadeja, alongside Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel, could form a formidable trio in India's middle-order, with the trio occupying positions 4, 5, and 6. Currently, Shreyas Iyer holds the No. 4 spot, with KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya following at No. 5 and 6, respectively. However, with the Champions Trophy approaching, Ashwin's suggestion would likely create a shift in the balance of the Indian batting order. This move could involve displacing Iyer, who has been a consistent performer in the middle order, although it is clear from Ashwin's comments that he sees Jadeja's capabilities as more valuable higher up the order.
Ashwin's reasoning for promoting Jadeja stems from his belief that the all-rounder has a significant amount of untapped batting potential that is not fully being realized when he is batting at No. 7, a position typically suited for a more aggressive approach or as a finisher. "Jadeja is not a No. 7," Ashwin declared, emphasizing that the 34-year-old's skills should not be confined to a role where his contributions are limited. In fact, Ashwin mentioned that Jadeja has played a substantial part in India's Test batting lineup, often coming in at No. 5, a position that allows him to showcase his solid technique and batting intelligence under pressure.
The suggestion to elevate Jadeja to No. 4 comes at a time when India is trying out various players in that position, especially following their series against Sri Lanka, where the team experimented with spin-bowling all-rounders like Washington Sundar in the No. 4 role. In the latter stages of the series, players like Shivam Dube and Rishabh Pant were also given opportunities to bat at No. 4, but Ashwin’s perspective suggests that Jadeja’s well-rounded game, coupled with his ability to handle pressure, makes him the ideal candidate for that position, especially in high-stakes tournaments such as the Champions Trophy.
Ashwin also took the opportunity to praise Jadeja's mental toughness and adaptability. He pointed out that Jadeja has shown time and again that he can thrive under intense pressure, referencing his performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where Jadeja has been asked to perform in pressure situations, such as needing to score 10 runs off the final two balls in an IPL final. His ability to deliver in such moments speaks volumes about his temperament and his readiness to take on the challenges of batting higher up the order.
Ashwin’s backing of Jadeja is not only based on his impressive IPL performances but also on his overall ODI career, where the all-rounder has accumulated over 2700 runs at an average of 32.42. While much of this has come from the lower middle order, Ashwin believes that with the right opportunities, Jadeja could excel at No. 4, a position that would give him more time to build an innings and influence the game in the middle overs. In fact, Jadeja’s brief outings at No. 4 in the past have yielded promising returns, with him scoring 58 runs in just two innings. This small sample size suggests that with more opportunities, Jadeja could become a consistent contributor in the upper middle order.
Ashwin further elaborated on his thinking, stating that Jadeja, Pandya, and Axar could provide a balanced and dynamic trio in the middle order, offering both depth and all-round capabilities. This flexibility could allow India to maintain a strong batting lineup while having reliable bowlers who can contribute with the ball when required. If this lineup were implemented, India would have a strong middle order with multiple all-around options, which could help stabilize the team in the event of early wickets.
This suggestion from Ashwin comes in the backdrop of a competitive Indian squad for the Champions Trophy. The squad includes established players like Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah, as well as several promising talents such as Rishabh Pant and Washington Sundar. India’s batting middle order, including Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, and Rishabh Pant, already appears solid, but Ashwin’s recommendation to elevate Jadeja could add an extra dimension to the lineup. The tactical change would likely come down to how India chooses to balance their team, factoring in both the conditions in Dubai and the presence of key all-rounders who can bat in a variety of positions.
In conclusion, Ashwin’s suggestion to promote Jadeja to No. 4 in the Champions Trophy is a bold one that could enhance India’s batting flexibility. Jadeja’s all-round skills, ability to perform under pressure, and significant experience in international cricket make him an ideal candidate for the role. Whether or not this idea is implemented remains to be seen, but it is clear that Ashwin sees potential in Jadeja that could benefit the Indian team in high-profile tournaments. With the Champions Trophy looming and India’s strong squad at hand, it will be fascinating to see how the team management decides to approach the batting order, especially considering the variety of talented all-rounders available for selection.
