India Vs South Africa 2nd Test; Irfan Pathan suggests bringing in Jadeja and Mukesh in place of Ashwin and Prasidh.

The Indian cricket team faced a challenging start to their ongoing Test series against South Africa, following their victorious T20I and ODI campaigns. The visitors suffered a substantial defeat in Centurion, where South Africa asserted dominance, securing a win by an innings and 32 runs.

As the teams prepare for the second and final Test in Cape Town, former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan has offered insights into potential changes that could aid India in reclaiming their winning momentum. Pathan suggested that the inclusion of star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja could be beneficial, advocating for his presence over Ravichandran Ashwin. According to Pathan, Jadeja’s proficiency in the lower order adds a crucial dimension that was lacking for India, and addressing this could prove pivotal.

Irfan said “Ravindra Jadeja, if fit, should come back in the team. Ashwin did bowl well from what was expected out of him on that pitch but we missed Jadeja’s control while batting at number 7 in Centurion, If you’re Rohit Sharma and you want to go with the same bowling attack, that’s also fine. But if you’re thinking of making a change, Mukesh Kumar could come in for Prasidh Krishna. But if you feel Prasidh is confident in the nets, then he should be backed for the second Test.”

The Centurion Test saw India struggling, posting a total of 245 in the first innings, supported by KL Rahul’s century. However, South Africa responded strongly, amassing 408 runs. With a substantial 163-run lead, they went on to dismiss India for 131 in the second innings, securing a comprehensive victory.

The upcoming second Test is scheduled to take place at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town starting from January 3. The Indian team is keen to deliver their best performances, aiming to avoid a series loss and bounce back with a more competitive showing.