“It’s Done Now”: Deep Dasgupta Urges India to Move Beyond Ravindra Jadeja in Test Cricket

For over a decade, Ravindra Jadeja has been the bedrock of India’s Test team, providing an invaluable balance of world-class spin bowling, gritty lower-order batting, and elite fielding. However, following a lukewarm performance in the recent two-Test tour of Sri Lanka, former India wicketkeeper-batter Deep Dasgupta has sparked a conversation about the team’s future, suggesting that the management must begin planning for a post-Jadeja era.

Despite Jadeja securing eight wickets across four innings during the Sri Lanka series, Dasgupta was left unimpressed by the veteran’s impact. The critique comes at a time when India struggled to maintain sustained pressure on the hosts, particularly during a drawn second Test in Colombo where Sri Lanka’s lower order—led by a resilient century from Sonal Dinusha—successfully neutralized the Indian attack.

A Decline in Lethality?

On his official YouTube channel, Dasgupta acknowledged Jadeja’s immense contribution to Indian cricket but argued that the 37-year-old’s current bowling profile is showing signs of decline.

“Jadeja has been a great servant, but it’s done now,” Dasgupta stated. “Apart from Manav [Suthar], our spinners didn’t look as lethal as we expected. I’m not saying there is no ability, but on such pitches, Jadeja has always been very destructive. I thought he would be crucial on the fifth day, but he was not as accurate as he is usually. His action is very shoulder-dominant [now].”

Discipline Concerns Under the Microscope

Beyond the lack of penetration, Dasgupta highlighted a growing disciplinary issue within the spin unit: the recurring problem of overstepping. During the Colombo Test, debutant Saransh Jain conceded four no-balls, while Jadeja was also guilty of the same error.

For the former wicketkeeper, these bowling faults are symptomatic of poor preparation habits. “If you are not careful in the nets, it will happen,” Dasgupta noted. “Even when I was playing, a lot of bowlers would practice with loose run-ups and claim it wouldn’t happen in a match, but they would repeat the same thing in the middle. This issue is not new with Jadeja; it has only gotten worse.”

A Crucial Transition Phase

While India emerged from the tour with a 1-0 series victory—bolstered by a dominant 165-run win in the opening Test at Galle—the concerns raised by the Sri Lankan draw have cast a shadow over the team’s spin department.

With a challenging tour of New Zealand on the horizon in November and a high-stakes five-match Test series against Australia beginning in January 2027, the Indian selectors face a difficult dilemma. While Jadeja’s experience remains a unique asset, the calls for a transition are growing louder. Whether the team management heeds this advice or sticks with the veteran for the upcoming international cycle remains to be seen, but the narrative regarding Ravindra Jadeja has undeniably shifted from “indispensable” to “under scrutiny.”