When Ravindra Jadeja was dropped from India’s squad for the third ODI against West Indies, skipper Shubman Gill labelled the all-rounder’s absence as ‘rest’. However, as the India squad for the ODI series against New Zealand was announced, Jadeja didn’t make the cut in the five-match series. As fans wonder what the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection committee is planning, a report has claimed that Jadeja is no longer in Team India’s ODI plans. The selectors and the management, hence, are keen to try other options before next year’s World Cup in South Africa.
Jadeja, now 37 years old, has been an asset for India across formats. However, his form in the 50-over format has been quite patchy of late. From a statistical standpoint, the all-rounder has taken just two wickets in the first two matches against West Indies and did not get a chance to bat.
Since the conclusion of the 2023 ODI World Cup, Jadeja has featured in only 15 of India’s 32 ODIs, claiming 14 wickets at an average of 47.92 and an economy rate of 5.20. The sharp decline in his bowling performance is bound to have played an important role in the selectors’ decision. With the bat, in the 142 ODI innings he has played for India, Jadeja has crossed the fifty-run mark only 13 times.
Statistically and tactically, Axar seems to be edging ahead of Jadeja in the selectors’ viewpoint. Axar has taken 21 wickets in 19 matches at a tight economy rate of 4.53, picking up a wicket every 45 balls compared to Jadeja’s strike rate of 55.2 across 15 games.
What’s also important to note is Axar’s batting prowess. Since the 2023 World Cup final, he has developed into a reliable spin-hitter, scoring 437 runs in 18 innings at an average of 29.13. With Jadeja restricted to lower-order duty at number 7 or 8, he brings little unique variation to a crowded selection field.
When Jadeja didn’t feature in the third ODI against West Indies, many reckoned that he was dropped. While captain Shubman Gill said that it wasn’t the case, the selectors’ decision for the New Zealand ODIs has seen his claim fall flat.
“I don’t think Jaddu bhai was dropped. We rested him because we had an opportunity today to give game time to other players. When a series is only three matches long, it becomes very difficult to give experience to players sitting outside,” Gill had said in the press conference after India’s defeat in the third ODI in New Chandigarh.
According to a report in the Times of India, Jadeja is no longer in the management’s World Cup 2027 plans. Hence, other players like Washington Sundar, Harsh Dubey, Shahbaz Ahmed, Axar Patel, etc. are set to be given more opportunities.
“He is not in India’s scheme of things for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Axar and Washington were playing in the Asian Games, whereas Harsh Dubey and Shahbaz Ahmed are at the CoE because they were injured,” the report quoted a source as saying.
“And when it comes to the left-arm spin all-rounder option, Axar is ahead of Jadeja. Axar has more wicket-taking ability and can bat as a floater from No. 4 to No. 7 in the middle overs. By no means is he inferior when it comes to fielding,” the source added.
Since the conclusion of the 2025 Champions Trophy, Jadeja has taken only five wickets in eight matches for India. In fact, his economy rate has also been over 6 per over.
Are Selectors Right To Move On From Jadeja?
Moving on from a player of Ravindra Jadeja’s stature is never a simple decision, given the all-round skills he brings to the team. However, the recent dip highlights a concerning trend in white-ball cricket. Modern limited-overs cricket places an immense premium on middle-overs control and wicket-taking ability, two areas where Jadeja hasn’t done as well in the recent past.
With younger spinners offering greater attacking variety, sharper drift, and comparable all-round value, if not more, the board is bound to lean towards fresher talent. But it’s also true that a talent like Jadeja cannot be ignored for too long.
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