Veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was a big name missing from India’s ODI squad for the upcoming Sri Lanka tour. Instead of Jadeja, the BCCI selector has included two spin-bowling all-rounders Akshar Patel and Washington Sundar in the squad.
If reports are to be believed then the new Indian team management under coach Gautam Gambhir has decided to move on from Ravindra Jadeja in the white-ball cricket. Jadeja, along with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retired from T20Is after India won the T20 World Cup 2024.
Other notable names to miss out on Sri Lanka ODIs are Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya. Bumrah was given a break because the selectors didn't want to burn out India's best all-format bowler, while Hardik requested a break for personal reasons.
Rohit and Kohli had asked for breaks from the entire Sri Lanka series, but Gambhir wanted his big players available for the ODIs to chalk out a roadmap. But Ravindra Jadeja has fallen out of contention in ODIs.
"There are only six ODIs, including the three in Sri Lanka, before next year's Champions Trophy. The selectors want to utilize the handful of games by giving more opportunities to Akshar Patel and Washington Sundar," a BCCI source told Hindustan Times.
Jadeja has been an integral part of India's ODI set-up for over a decade. Since his debut in 2009, India has played 354 ODIs, with Jadeja featuring 197 of those. He was part of India’s glorious undefeated run to the final of the ICC World Cup last year as well and had picked a fifer against South Africa in the tournament.
Since the 2019 World Cup, Ravindra Jadeja played 44 ODIs, scoring 644 runs at an average of 40 and a strike rate of 84. With the ball, he took 44 wickets at an average of 37, with an economy rate of 4.9.
"Nothing wrong with Jadeja's performance. The management just wants to look at other options as we have to build a team for the future," the source added.
Also, it was time for Akshar Patel to emerge out of Jadeja’s shadows and own his place in the Indian setup. Rohit gave a clear indication of preferring Akshar over Jadeja, both as a batter and a bowler. In many ways, Akshar's growth trajectory has been similar to Jadeja's.
Also, BCCI selectors have options other than Jadeja like Washington Sundar and Shahbaz Ahmed waiting for an opportunity as spin-bowling all-rounders. Sundar is likely to be the second-choice spin-bowling all-rounder in ODIs and T20Is provided he maintains his fitness.
However, Ravindra Jadeja will remain the first-choice pick for India in Tests.
"Jadeja is outstanding in Test cricket. His bowling in home conditions is unmatchable. He will be important for India's World Test Championship bid," the source added.
(Hindustan Times report)
