Kohli was forced to pick Jadeja: Former India cricketer

Team India rested Kuldeep Yadav for the first ODI against Windies and instead picked Ravindra Jadeja as the second spinner along with three pace bowlers. This strategy misfired as Jadeja leaked runs and Windies amassed a total of 322 runs. This decision came under the scanner and fans criticized Kohli for picking Jadeja over Kuldeep. However former India cricketer Ajit Agarkar has defended Kohli and has said that the Indian captain was forced to pick the left-arm spinner.

The pitch required three seamers: Agarkar

The former Indian pace bowler was speaking with an online cricket portal when he said that it is just how the team is at the moment that Kohli has been forced to play Jadeja. Agarkar feels that there would have been a third spinner if the pitch would have had a bit more for spinners. But according to the pace bowler, the pitch looks good and that’s why the team needed three seamers.

Agarkar feels Jadeja brings balance into the team

At the same time, Agarkar pointed out that there are far too many specialized batsmen and specialized bowlers in the team and the former Indian cricketer believes that Jadeja seems to be the only player who can do a bit of both. So Agarkar feels that Jadeja has been forced into the selection for the first game.

Also read: Kohli reveals perfect number four batsman

However, Jadeja had mixed returns in the first ODI. He did claim two wickets but had to pay 66 runs in ten overs for his wickets. Windies hammered 322 runs in 50 overs but courtesy of sublime centuries by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, India chased the target with ease.

Twitter slams Jadeja’s selection for first ODI

The move to pick the left-arm spinner ahead of Kuldeep Yadav didn’t go well with the fans and they expressed their displeasure on Twitter.

Rav ndra Jadeja was p cked up ahead of Kuldeep Yadav. Conceded 66 runs n h s 10 overs and took 2 w ckets. Has he just f ed h s select on? #MissingI

— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) October 21, 2018

Did India make a mistake by not including Kuldeep Yadav in the playing 11?
We have seen the combination of Yuzi Chahal and Yadav stopping the flow of runs in the middle overs while taking wickets!#AskTheExpert

— CHINMAY #IndianCricketTeam ?? (@beardedCVS) October 21, 2018

Kuldeep Yadav is India’s best ODI bowler this year with 36 wickets at 17.25. He was also their best bowler in the last match (Asia Cup Final) with three crucial wickets.

Can someone tell us how can he be dropped? #INDvWI

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) October 21, 2018

https://twitter.com/Prakash72852004/status/1053972589687713792

@MSKPrasad5 @imVkohli @RaviShastriOfc it's better to give chance to Krunal Pandya or Vijay shankar in place of Ravindra Jadeja in ODI and T 20 for Best team Balance. Jadeja is fit for Test Match only.

— Shri Ram@Jai Shri Ram (@idsharma53) October 21, 2018