Jadeja likely to replace Vihari if fit for Boxing Day Test

All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja could replace Hanuma Vihari in India’s playing XI if he manages to regain his fitness in time for the upcoming Boxing Day Test against Australia in Melbourne this weekend, PTI reported. 

Jadeja had sustained a hamstring injury, ruling him out of the first Test in Adelaide, in addition to the concussion he suffered in the first Twenty20 International.

Also Read | In major team changes, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant get ready for Boxing Day Test

He has slowly made a comeback to the nets over recent days and has shown promising signs of recovery, although there is no assurance that he will be 100% fit in time for the second Test, starting December 26. 

However, if Jadeja does make it to the side, Andhra Pradesh batsman Vihari will make way, not because of his low scores in the two innings in Adelaide, but to allow skipper Ajinkya Rahane and coach Ravi Shastri to select the best team combination. 

“If Jadeja gets fit to bowl long spells, then there is no debate at all. Jadeja replaces Vihari on the basis of his all-round skills. Also it gives us an option to play five bowlers at the MCG,” PTI quoted a BCCI source saying on the condition of anonymity. 

Also Read | SCG remains our preference: Cricket Australia after reports of venue-switch emerge

Selectors think that in terms of batting, there is not much difference between “all-rounder Jadeja” and the “specialist Vihari”. 

Jadeja has scored 1,869 Test runs in 49 matches at an average of over 35, including a ton and 14 fifties, with Vihari scoring 576 runs in his 10 Test matches at an average of over 33. 

With Mohammed Shami already ruled out of the series because of a wrist fracture, India might just be tempted to go in with five specialist bowlers instead of the usual four, which has been their template for years.