Ravindra Jadeja's exclusion from the Indian squad for the forthcoming ODI series against England has been questioned by former India player Aakash Chopra. He pointed out that despite the selectors' claims that Jadeja is a part of their ODI plans, the seasoned all-rounder has consistently been overlooked.
The first match of India's three-match ODI series against England will take place at Birmingham on July 14. Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Kuldeep Yadav have been selected as the three spinners in the visitors' 15-man squad; Jadeja has not been included.
"Ravindra Jadeja is not there. Every time the selection happens, they say that he will continue to play in this format and that he has a role to play, and that he will be needed, but they are not selecting him at all. We are repeatedly seeing that he is not being selected. When it's the turn for selection, someone else gets selected," Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
He further stated that the RR all-rounder should’ve recovered from the injury he suffered in IPL 2026 and questioned whether BCCI selectors took a call to exclude Jadeja, keeping his future in the format in mind.
"Axar Patel has returned. Washington Sundar is a part of the team. That's two finger spinners, and Kuldeep Yadav with them. So, what is happening with Ravindra Jadeja? If Jaddu had a slight fitness issue in the IPL, it's been one and a half months, and they have not mentioned why Jaddu's name isn't there. I find it a little tough to swallow, or else the selectors have probably made up their mind about his career," he observed.
Ravindra Jadeja has scored 2,905 runs and picked up 232 wickets in 210 ODIs.
Aakash Chopra questioned why Mohammed Siraj was left out of the England ODI series.
"We have gone with five proper fast bowlers - Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, and Gurnoor Brar. I have no idea why Siraj's name isn't there. Gurnoor has taken giant strides. He has performed very well, and that's why he is part of this team," he said.
However, Chopra acknowledged that the five seamers picked deserved their spot.
"Prasidh Krishna has been absolutely outstanding. He took a five-wicket haul in the previous match. You want to invest in Harshit Rana because he has performed well and gives you batting at No. 8. Arshdeep Singh, you must have a left-arm option because you are looking towards South Africa," Chopra observed.
He further stated that the pace bowling unit was selected keeping in mind the pitches and conditions in South Africa, with Arshdeep Singh being the only swing bowler.
