IND vs ENG: Ravindra Jadeja 2.0 Will Be Missed As Axar Patel Looks To Replace Him

With left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja out of India's Test squad due to a broken thumb, India could field another left-arm spinner Axar Patel for the first Test against England beginning February 5

Patel's exploits at the top level have been in the limited-overs format, but how he would perform at the Test level is yet to be seen.

Jadeja's experience would be missed.

Maninder pointed out a couple of qualities that has made Jadeja important to the Indian team - self-realization and the ability to turn one ball in his initial spell.

"The self-realization Jadeja has had in the past couple of years. He realized that he cannot play for India only on the basis on bowling. He has to improve his batting also, which is why you see that in the last few years, his batting has been great. He has understood that he has limitations in bowling but if he has to play he will play as a batting all-rounder and he has scored runs. We will have to see if the newcomer (Axar) has that," said Maninder.

Maninder, 55, said that Jadeja's ability to turn one ball early in his innings often puts doubt in batsmen's minds. From there, the Saurashtra spinner could exploit with his accuracy.

"A spinner has to turn one ball to put doubt in the batsman's mind. He will always think the bowler has the ability to turn the ball. Jadeja has the quality that he can turn one ball in his initial spell on good wickets somehow. Then he uses his accuracy with a great advantage," he said.

Patel's returns with the bat in the ODIs haven't been too impressive. He averages just 12.92. He has also picked 45 wickets and his concern was keeping the economic rate under check.