ENG vs IND 2025: Should Team India promote Ravindra Jadeja to no. 6 ahead of Nitish Kumar Reddy in Test line-up? Let’s deep dive into the numbers.
At Leeds during the opening Test between India and England, the touring management used Karun Nair at number six. The right-handed batter managed a four-ball duck in the first inning and returned with 20 runs in the second innings. These numbers didn’t inspire the management much.
Due to the absence of Sai Sudharsan in the second Edgbaston Test, Nair got a promotion to number three. This resulted in Nitish Reddy walking at number six in the first inning of the fixture. But his stay lasted only six balls for one run. He couldn’t read the in-swinging delivery from Chris Woakes and raised his arms in the air only to see the ball crashing onto the stumps.
Now going into the second innings, he could retain the same position in the team. But the question is why can’t the Blue Brigade promote Ravindra Jadeja at number six? The southpaw had a decent time with the bat of late.
Ravindra Jadeja’s secret success at number six
Batting at number six is always a challenge in the longest format. It’s the glue of the top and lower order. It’s about various contributions to the side in different situations.
There are times when it’s required to see the new ball off and show trust in the defense late in the evening. Meanwhile, it’s also important for the individual to be smart in batting with the tail.
At number six, Jadeja has clubbed 642 runs in 20 Test innings at an average of 42.80. He also displayed the same batting quality during the Edgbaston Test at number seven.
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Ravindra Jadeja’s Test batting performance at number 6
At 211/5, they could have faced another lower-order issue. They could have got bundled out for 350 or less than that. But the all-rounder stitched a fine 203-run stand for the sixth wicket with captain Shubman Gill. Both were aggressive in the running between the wickets. But they also maintained a fine balance between aggression and defense.
The Saurashtra-born never failed to get under England’s skin. His front-foot shots were extraordinary. He ended with a fine knock of 89 runs in 137 balls at a strike rate of nearly 65. Since the start of 2020, he has been India’s sixth leading run-getter in the five-day format with 1651 runs in 34 innings.
Most Test runs for India Since Jan 2020
Whether it’s home or away, Jadeja is equally magnificent with the bat at number six. At home, he averages 50.55 in this aspect with five fifties. While in alien conditions, he carries an average of 34.75. He ran out of partners at Leeds but when he had the support, the 36-year-old showed fantastic batting.
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Not many know that the left-handed batter’s average (35.30) is close to Ben Stokes’ (35.13). Meanwhile, with the ball, his average of 24.81 is far better than the England captain (32.13).
Nitish Reddy could be India’s tail-end solution
At Edgbaston, Nitish Reddy played his very first red-ball knock at number six. However, he has enjoyed his time at number eight. In just four innings, the right-handed batter has smashed 209 runs in that position. His average is nearly 70 thanks to the 114-run knock in Melbourne.
Nitish Reddy’s Test batting performance at various positions
The only philosophy to assign Reddy at six could be to maintain the right-left combination. After Rishabh Pant, they have both Jadeja and Washington Sundar as left-handed batters. Even Kuldeep Yadav isn’t a right-handed batter.
But these shouldn’t be the factors to demote Jadeja. These tactics can work well in the white-ball formats but in history, even two southpaws have also brought success as a partnership.
Jadeja’s experience will also be vital for the side in guiding young Reddy and Sundar with the bat. The Andhra Pradesh-born can also play with freedom at seven or eight to gather quick runs.
Jadeja has done enough in the red-ball format to deserve the number six position. And the third Lord’s Test could be the best stage for it.
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