The remarkable partnership between R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja against Bangladesh has highlighted their invaluable contributions as lower-order batters. However, their advancing age raises the question of who will succeed them in this crucial role.
Ashwin and Jadeja have consistently reinvented themselves to meet the evolving demands of the game. While they initially focused primarily on their bowling, they have since transformed into formidable batsmen. Ashwin has been involved in six 50-plus partnerships with lower-order batters, while Jadeja has forged four such partnerships.
Experts believe that India needs to identify and groom the next generation of lower-order batters. Washington Sundar and Axar Patel are potential candidates, but they need to demonstrate consistency across all formats. Manav Suthar, a promising left-arm spinner, has shown promise as a handy lower-order batsman.
However, finding replacements for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who are also approaching the twilight of their careers, poses a greater challenge. The Indian selectors are implementing a phased easing out of seniors to avoid a sudden decline in quality.
Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Mayank Agarwal are among the players who could potentially fill the void left by Sharma and Kohli. India’s strong grassroots system provides hope that the next generation of players will emerge in due time.
