5 reasons why Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja can make a comeback to the Indian ODI team

There’s no denying the fact that the spin twins, Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav have done a commendable job on the South African tour. However, one must not forget that Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have played well over the years for India.

India’s lack of wicket-taking ability in the middle overs prompted the team management to look out for other options other than the tried and tested combination of Ashwin and Jadeja. Fortunately, Chahal and Kuldeep delivered the goods when required but the question is will they continue to do so?

Here are five reasons why Ashwin and Jadeja can make a comeback to the Indian ODI squad.

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#1 Experience

Chahal and Kuldeep have a long way to go

Chahal and Kuldeep are good but they are inexperienced. Ashwin and Jadeja have seen lots of ups and downs in their career and know how to hold their nerves in critical situations.

One would argue, how would youngsters gain experience if they are not given an opportunity to perform? That is right, and they were given the opportunity which they grabbed with both hands. Now, they will have to keep performing.

A dip in performance from youngsters and a revitalized show from the veterans can turn the tables. Ashwin and Jadeja have played a lot of games in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as well as International games. They know how to handle pressure. And that might bring them back in the squad if the rising stars fail to shine consistently in the coming matches.

#2 Player analysis using technology

Technology is helping leaps and bounds to decode the skills of players

International teams have professional analysts who look at things minutely. They go through the bowling clips of so-called mystery bowlers and find out a way to handle them. Their job is to decipher the mystery and help the batsmen to tackle the threat.

Be it the legendary Muralitharan or the great Harbhajan Singh, teams analyzed them to perfection and found out a way to play them. With the help of technology-based analysis, batsmen could pick their variations and score against them especially on flat tracks.

Young spinners will have to keep widening their arsenal and stay a step ahead of the opposition team’s analysts. Ashwin and Jadeja have got the time to work on their skills in the domestic setup. Ashwin is developing the leg-spinner as well!

On the other hand, Chahal and Kuldeep have been under the scanner of late and technology may soon help opposition teams decode the duo.

#3 Batting capabilities

Jadeja and Ashwin have proven batting capability

With India’s batting line-up struggling to find a consistent No. 4 and No. 5, the pressure of scoring runs falls on the lower order. This is where Ashwin and Jadeja have a huge advantage over Chahal and Kuldeep.

Ashwin has proved that he can bat in pressure situations whereas Jadeja’s big-hitting ability is second to none. What is troubling in their case is the consistency. They have been successful in scoring runs in some games but they can’t be relied on.

However, if we make a direct comparison, Ashwin and Jadeja walk into the squad as lower order batsmen without a doubt.

#4 Backup option

Ashwin could be the backup option for the wrist spinners

Team India has a good problem now as the so-called backups for Ashwin and Jadeja have almost cemented their place in the team. This development has made Ashwin and Jadeja backup options for Chahal and Kuldeep.

The other spinner in the mix is Axar Patel who is also inexperienced and not as good as the experienced duo when it comes to batting. With no other promising spinner on the horizon, team India will look at Ashwin and Jadeja in case Chahal or Kuldeep fail to perform or get injured.

#5 IPL factor

Ravindra Jadeja will don the CSK yellow once again in the IPL this season

Where talent meets opportunity; that’s IPL’s tagline, and Ashwin and Jadeja will have the opportunity to challenge Chahal and Kuldeep. Jadeja is back in the yellow jersey and will be looking to play the all-rounder's role under Mahendra Singh Dhoni at Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

Ashwin will not only compete against his former franchise but also lead his new franchise, Kings XI Punjab. He is known as a thinking cricketer and as captain, he will have complete control over as a bowler.