Ravindra Jadeja no longer in scheme of things for ODIs, India selectors looking at future options - Reports

Ravindra Jadeja’s last ODI appearance for India came in the ODI World Cup 2023 final.

On July 18, 2024, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squads for the upcoming away white-ball tour of Sri Lanka. The white-ball series will be played from July 27 to August 7. However, veteran Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who recently called his time on T20I career, wasn’t picked for the three-match ODI series against the Island Nation.

Jadeja, who recently announced his T20I retirement after lifting the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 trophy in June, said that he will continue to represent India in the other two formats. The ace all-rounder was also part of the Indian side which went all the way to the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.

Since losing the ODI World Cup 2023 final against Australia, Jadeja hasn’t been part of India’s ODI setup. The only ODI series which India played after the 2023 ODI World Cup, was three-match series against South Africa, where Jadeja was rested.

Time for Axar Patel and Washington Sundar to stand up

The BCCI excluded Jadeja and picked all-rounders Axar Patel and Washington Sundar for the white-ball teams against Sri Lanka. Many questions were raised when Jadeja was not included in the ODI squad for the upcoming series.

According to the latest report in Hindustan Times, BCCI selectors want to give more chances to Axar Patel and Washington Sundar instead of veteran all-rounder Jadeja. It is understood that the selectors want further options than Jadeja before the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan.

“There are only six ODIs, including the three in Sri Lanka, before next year’s Champions Trophy. The selectors want to utilise the handful of games by giving more opportunities to Axar Patel and Washington Sundar,” a BCCI source told Hindustan Times.

“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.

Jadeja will be important for India’s World Test Championship line-up

In tests, Jadeja has played 72 matches till now. The 35-year-old has smashed 3036 runs at an average of 36.14 and picked 294 wickets till now. When it comes to ICC World Test Championship (WTC), Jadeja has taken 102 wickets in 31 games he has played so far.

With India aiming to reach their third consecutive final in the ongoing WTC 2023–25 cycke, the BCCI source has confirmed to Hindustan Times that they will stick with Jadeja in the test setup as he is an important part of the Indian team.

“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.

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