If a player is not fit enough to play in a Test match, he should rest. Common sense, eh? However, that same player was named in the 13-member squad for that match and used as a fielder for major part of the match as well. Confused much? Welcome to Team India.
India coach Ravi Shastri on Sunday revealed that senior spinner Ravindra Jadeja had been suffering from stiff shoulder from the time he was playing Ranji Trophy and was given injections four days after landing in Australia.
However, Jadeja's fitness issue came up as a surprise as he was included in the 13-man squad for the second Test in Perth. He even fielded for a major part of the two Australian innings as well, thus posing questions about Indian team's injury management programme.
What's happening in Team India?
There has been a lot of debate over India’s choice to go with a four-pronged pace attack in Perth for the second Test. It gained more momentum as Nathan Lyon, the lone specialist spinner in the game, walked away with eight wickets and Man of the Match award.
Captain Virat Kohli had defended India’s bowling composition saying India didn't even consider playing a spinner. However, coach Ravi Shastri had something different to say. He indicated that that Jadeja hadn’t been considered because he was not 100% fit.
"Problem with Jadeja was that he had taken an injection four days after coming to Australia because of some stiffness in his shoulder," Shastri said during a media conference.
"It has taken a while for that injection to settle down. He had some stiffness when he was in India as well but he did play domestic cricket after that. Then he felt the same on coming here to Australia and he was injected," Shastri said.
However, it raises several questions. Why a player travelled Down Under if he was not hundred percent fit.
Shastri admitted that Jadeja's recovery has taken more time than expected.
"It (Jadeja's recovery) has taken longer than we expected and we wanted to be careful. Last thing you want is someone breaking down after 5-10 overs and then we would be stuck for players to pick for Melbourne and Sydney.
"So, looking back at Perth, we felt he was 70-80 per cent fit and we didn't want to risk him in the second Test. If he is 80 per cent fit here (Melbourne), he will play," said Shastri.
Even if we admit that Kohli was trying to not to discuss Jadeja’s injury as he defended India's all-pace attack after Perth Test, it is hard to justify Jadeja's place in the 13-man squad for the Test. More logic defying is his role as a substitute fielder in both Adelaide and Perth Tests.
Doubt over Rohit, Ashwin too
Fitness is a big concern, Shastri said. Rohit Sharma has recovered from his back injury and was
back in the nets while Ashwin will be monitored during the next 48 hours.
"Fitness (is the biggest concern). We will have to evaluate fitness in the next 24-hour period, take it one step at a time and also consider the conditions. We will evaluate Ashwin over the next 48 hours."
"Rohit Sharma looks good and has made a very good improvement but we will see how he pulls up tomorrow. He looks good as of today. Hardik Pandya is fit," said the head coach.
Shastri however didn't want to divulge if Hardik Pandya will come into the playing XI as he has played only one first-class match (against Mumbai) after his comeback.
"Pandya coming here gives you an option (of playing five bowlers) but he has not played much first-class cricket. He has just played one game after injury so we have to be very careful before we actually decide whether he plays or not," he added.
