• Source:JND
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India vs South Africa: Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan wants Ravindra Jadeja to be included in the second Test against South Africa if he is fit in place of Ravichandran Ashwin.

The second Test match between India and South Africa will be played at the Newlands in Cape Town and is scheduled to commence on Wednesday, January 3, 2024.

South Africa are already 1-0 up in the two-match Test series, having thrashed the visitors by an innings and 32 runs in the first Test at Centurion.

 

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Ashwin played the first match as the lone spinner in the side as Jadeja was ruled out due to an injury concern.

He was India’s most economical bowler in the opening match, giving away just 41 runs in 19 overs while picking the wicket of Gerald Coetzee.

“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,” said Pathan.

He went on to say that if Prasidh Krishna is feeling confident in the nets then he should play the second match, but if not, Mukesh Kumar could replace him.

Prasidh made his Test debut in the first match but had a disappointing outing as he leaked 93 runs in 19 overs while picking one wicket in the match.

“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,” Pathan added.

 

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With the defeat in the first Test, India's dream for their maiden Test series win on South African soil as a victory in the second match will only level the series.

India squad for 2nd Test: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, KS Bharat (wk), Abhimanyu Easwaran, Avesh Khan