Ravindra Jadeja has successfully recovered from his upper back spasms and is now available for selection, providing India with added depth in both batting and bowling options. His return is particularly significant as he is the only left-handed batter apart from opener Yashasvi Jaiswal. Jadeja had missed the first Test due to the aforementioned injury.
Addressing Jadeja’s fitness, Rohit Sharma emphasized the importance of not being overly critical of inexperienced bowlers. He stated, “Although we’ve had a brief chat with the management, the coaching staff about what we want from this game, and what we want from the bowlers in this game, we’ve not completely finalised our playing XI. Everyone is available for selection. There’s no injury concern. All of them who are here are available to play. We’ll sit down in the evening and decide what is the right one.”
Acknowledging the inexperience in the bowling department, Rohit expressed the need to instill faith and trust in the players. He highlighted the nerves associated with playing the first game and emphasized the importance of supporting and trusting the players to deliver.
While Prasidh Krishna faced some scrutiny after his debut in the previous Test, Rohit stood by his assessment of the young bowler’s potential. He conveyed, “It’s just about showing faith and trust in everyone and getting the job done from them.”
Shardul Thakur, with his 11th Test appearance, faced disappointment with the ball in the first Test between India vs South Africa. Jadeja’s return introduces the possibility of playing two spinners, especially considering R Ashwin’s batting prowess compared to Thakur.
However, the decision might hinge on the prevailing conditions. Rohit admitted uncertainty about whether the conditions in Cape Town would be less challenging for India. He remarked, “I honestly don’t know too much about that. You know, the conditions look pretty similar to what it was.”
Despite the uncertainty, Rohit emphasized the team’s familiarity with similar conditions from past experiences. He stated, “We know exactly what is required when the conditions are like that. Based on the pitches, how the conditions are, you got to respond to that.”
To bolster the squad, Avesh Khan has been called up, providing an additional tall bowling option. With a promising performance in the India A game, taking a five-for, Avesh Khan’s inclusion underscores the team’s quest for a hit-the-deck bowler.
Considering Shardul Thakur’s recent struggles, India may contemplate a lineup with four genuine fast bowlers, even at the expense of batting depth. The combination of Thakur, Krishna, Avesh, and Mukesh Kumar offers a range of options for the team management to consider at Newlands. The strategic decisions ahead of the 2nd Test highlight India’s commitment to finding the right balance for a challenging encounter against South Africa.
