'Primary role shouldn't change...'- former India cricketer opines about Ravindra Jadeja permanently at No. 6

Should the Indian team management promote Ravindra Jadeja at No. 6 permanently for the remaining part of the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC)? Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra expressed his opinion through his YouTube channel video. He acknowledged the way Ravindra Jadeja performed at Old Trafford with the bat. The spin-bowling all-rounder's record-breaking stand with Washington Sundar and individual hundred were praised by all cricket fans. Accepting the fact that Jadeja did extremely well with his batting, Chopra would like him to be seen mainly as a spin bowler who can contribute in the batting department. Jadeja scored an unbeaten 107 off 185 deliveries to help India draw the fourth Test against England in Manchester. 

"His primary role shouldn't change because Ravichandran Ashwin isn't there now. Until Ashwin was there, you had two quality wicket-takers in the spin department... However, when you go outside India, the pitches become flat, those many wickets don't come into Jaddu's account, and (Washington) Sundar is there with him instead of Ashwin, and suddenly you realize how it would work out if both of them were playing together. Jaddu has to be the bowler first," the former cricketer opined in his video. 

In the ongoing 5-match Test series, Jadeja's contribution mostly came from his bat. He scored a total of 454 runs at an average of 113.50 in eight innings, while as a spin bowler he snatched seven wickets in as many innings, coming at an average of 67.71, which is not up to the mark. 

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Ravindra Jadeja as long term number 7

Chopra suggested the Indian team management use Jadeja as a long-term number 7 and include a full-time batsman to increase the batting depth. 

"Jaddu should be a bowler who takes five-wicket and 10-wicket hauls and bats a little along with that. I feel we should go in that direction. I think long-term, no. 7. You still need a batter at No. 6 because your keeper comes at No. 5," Aakash said.