Former England skipper Michael Atherton claimed that India were impacted by the absence of Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul in the IND vs ENG 2nd Test. The ex-cricketer backed the visitors as the favourites to win the game despite a Yashasvi Jaiswal-dominated India show in the 1st innings.
Will Jadeja and KL Rahul’s absence impact India?
In his column in The Times, Atherton is on of the opinion that there was a significant psychological impact on India, given the quick turnaround. Adding to this, according to him, is the absence of KL Rahul and Jadeja who have been ruled out with injuries.
“Such an outcome, so unexpected and so unbelievable given where both teams were after the first innings, must have a huge psychological impact, especially given the quick turnaround and the injuries to two of India’s key players, Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul. England have an excellent chance of building on their lead,” Atherton wrote in his column for The Times.
Atherton further called Jadeja as only second to Virat Kohli in terms of value.
“India are not only 1-0 down, but are faced with rare uncertainty over the shape and balance of their team. Suddenly, it looks full of potential weaknesses. Jadeja is India’s second-most valuable cricketer after Virat Kohli. He [Jadeja] has a fine record as an all-rounder – the differential in batting and bowling averages places him in the highest rank – and that balances the team beautifully,” the former England added.
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