All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja’s role would be significant for Team India

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The appeal to bring in new blood has grown louder after star-studded Indians were handed a second humiliating 0-4 drubbing in an away series in six months. The wounds suffered by Team India Down Under now can only be soothed with an emphatic show in the two T20Is and the tri-series.

Given the context of the tour so far, the task looks ominous for a battered India. Still, the shorter version is a different ballgame altogether and the tourists too have names — and more importantly, fresh faces — capable of delivering on their day.

The abilities of men like Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina are, of course, crucial to India’s cause, but on this occasion, the contribution of a talented all-rounder in Ravindra Jadeja would be equally significant.

A livewire in the field, Jadeja has so far had an excellent season, picking up 24 wickets with his wily left-arm spin from 13 ODIs at an average of 23.13.

He may not have scored many runs, but has added useful runs lower down the order whenever the situation demanded.

At the domestic level Jadeja optimised his all-round capabilities having amassed 433 runs - averaging 86.60 in this edition’s Ranji Trophy — and taking 18 wickets.

Doubting Thomases could well point out that all of Jadeja’s successes so far have come at home and he will be up against a tougher challenge in Australia, his second tour outside the sub-continent. At the same time, the 23-year-old did not fail to impress despite his limited opportunities during India’s five-match ODI series in England last year.

In his very first appearance on English soil — the third ODI at the Kennington Oval — the southpaw smashed an 89-ball 78 to lift his team to 234/7 after coming in with India reeling at 58/5. Although India lost in the end, Jadeja (2/42) for his part had done well with the ball too.

Says Saurashtra coach Debu Mitra, also a mentor of Sourav Ganguly during the former India skipper’s early days, “Along with others, Ravindra too reached Australia well before the one-dayers begin. So, I believe he won’t be having problems to adjust with conditions there,” he said.