One man’s misfortune could end up as an opportunity for someone else, especially in the competitive world of professional sport. As Ravindra Jadeja and Vijay Shankar made it to the Indian squad for the ICC World Cup, one couldn’t help but look back at two incidents featuring Hardik Pandya which paved the way for both Jadeja and Shankar to stake a claim to feature in the quadrennial showpiece.
It was Pandya's injury in the Asia Cup group fixture against Pakistan which paved the way for spin-bowling all-rounder Jadeja’s return to the Indian team in one-dayers. The Saurashtra player had not played a single One-Day International (ODI) once Ravi Shastri had taken over as head coach. Shastri and captain Virat Kohli’s gamble to field two wrist spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal in the playing eleven had paid rich dividends. Left-arm chinaman bowler Kuldeep and orthodox leggie Chahal had put an end to India’s struggles to pick up wickets in the middle overs. However, with Pandya ruled out for the remainder of the tournament, Jadeja was recalled to the ODI squad after a gap of more than a year.
Rohit Sharma was leading India since Kohli was rested after a taxing tour of England. The conditions in the UAE meant Jadeja got the chance to feature in the playing eleven along with Kuldeep and Chahal in the tie against Bangladesh. He grabbed the chance with both hands, returning figures of 4/29 off his quota of 10 overs to win the man-of-the match award in Dubai.
Though he failed to pick up a wicket against Bangladesh in the final, Jadeja was instrumental in running out Mohammad Mithun with a sensational piece of fielding.
Jadeja continued to impress and in the series-decider against the West Indies at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, he claimed 4/34 to help India shoot out the Caribbeans for a paltry 104. He was declared man of the match as the Men in Blue won the series 3-1.
Lucky break for Shankar
Pandya had regained fitness and was back in the Indian squad for the ODI series against Australia when developments off the cricket field returned to haunt him in January. Pandya and teammate K L Rahul were sent back from the tour for their sexist comments on a popular television chat show. This meant Jadeja, who would not have possibly made it to the first eleven, got a chance to play, while Shankar was drafted in as Pandya’s replacement.
Jadeja again showcased his worth on the field with a stunning direct hit to cut short Usman Khawaja’s stint in the second ODI at the Adelaide Oval. Shankar made his debut in the next game at the Sydney Cricket Ground and came up with decent figures of 0/23 from six overs as India won the three-match series 2-1. Though Shankar featured in the first two ODIs during India’s tour of New Zealand, he did nothing of note. He was dropped from the team once Pandya returned for the third ODI.
However, Shankar made a big impression in the fifth and final game in Wellington. His technique and temperament came in for praise as he made 45 on a seaming track. Walking in to bat with India reeling at 18/4, the Tamil Nadu all-rounder put on 98 for the fifth wicket in the company of Ambati Rayudu (90). This was also the first time he got a chance to demonstrate his batting skills in an ODI. India ended up with a fighting total of 252 and won the match by 35 runs to clinch the series 4-1.
New candidate
Suddenly the emergence of Shankar gave the Indian team management another option at the problematic No. 4 spot. Here was one man who could bat at No. 4, bowl a few overs of seam and contribute with his fielding as well.
Pandya, meanwhile, suffered another setback as he was ruled out of the home series against Australia with a back injury. This provided Jadeja with another chance to prove his value in India’s last assignment before the ICC World Cup. Jadeja’s fielding was the focal point as he effected a direct hit to catch Peter Handscomb short of his crease in the second ODI at Nagpur. This was also the game in which Shankar starred both with the bat and ball. He made 46 and added 81 in the company of Kohli. He then picked up two wickets while defending 10 in the final over as India clinched a thriller by eight runs.
This coupled with Rayudu’s failures in the first three matches against Australia meant Shankar was suddenly the favourite to bat at No. 4 in the World Cup. This was confirmed by the national selection committee chairman M S K Prasad on Monday as the final 15 was announced. Shankar’s all-round skills gave him the nod over Rayudu while Jadeja too made the cut.
It’s to their credit that both Pandya and Rahul too found a place in the squad following their impressive performances for Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab in the ongoing Indian Premier League Season 12. Pandya is tipped to be a regular in the Indian playing eleven in the World Cup, while Shankar is expected to bat at No. 4 at least in the first few games. Jadeja and Rahul too are likely to get their share of chances in the marquee event.
