Jadeja, 37, finished the Sri Lanka series with eight wickets across four innings, but Dasgupta felt India\u2019s spin attack struggled to consistently threaten the opposition on surfaces where the visitors would have expected their slower bowlers to play a decisive role.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The former wicketkeeper particularly pointed to the closing stages of the second Test in Colombo. Despite Sri Lanka being made to follow on, India were unable to quickly break through their lower order as Sonal Dinusha produced a century and helped his side build a substantial lead.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cApart from Manav, our spinners didn\u2019t look as lethal as we expected. I\u2019m not saying there is no ability. On such pitches, Jadeja has always been very destructive and lethal. I thought he would be crucial on the fifth day. He has been a great servant, but it\u2019s done now. He was not as accurate as he is. His action is very shoulder-dominant,\u201d Dasgupta said in a video on his YouTube channel.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
While Jadeja claimed three wickets in the second innings in Colombo, Dasgupta assessed that India needed greater penetration from its experienced spin resources. Young left-arm spinner Manav Suthar was the exception in his view, with the former India player also stressing the importance of building a strong succession plan.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Sri Lanka series also saw India\u2019s spinners deal with repeated no-ball issues. Saransh Jain, making his Test debut in Colombo, bowled four no-balls, while Jadeja overstepped once. Dasgupta said such problems often have their roots in training habits.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIf you are not careful in the nets, it will happen. Even when I was playing, a lot of them would bowl from ahead and say it would not happen in the match, but they would repeat the same thing in the match. You need to avoid this in the nets. This issue is not new with Jadeja; it has only gotten worse,\u201d added Dasgupta.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Looking ahead, Dasgupta identified Washington Sundar as a potential long-term replacement for Jadeja in the spin-bowling all-rounder\u2019s role, while suggesting that Suthar could develop into a specialist left-arm spin option for India.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe need the next line of spinners to be ready. We need Washington Sundar to be ready. He is absolutely the same as Jadeja. So when Jadeja decides to hang up his boots, you need someone who can do the same work. We have to make sure he is ready. It is an important slot,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Looking ahead, Dasgupta identified Washington Sundar as a potential long-term replacement for Jadeja in the spin-bowling all-rounder\u2019s role, while suggesting that Suthar could develop into a specialist left-arm spin option for India.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
However, Dasgupta\u2019s comments reflect the growing debate around India\u2019s long-term spin combination and whether the team should now accelerate preparations for a future in which Jadeja is no longer a central part of its Test plans.<\/p>\r\n\r\n