Ravindra Jadeja
Credit: PTI Photo
New Delhi: A notable omission from the Indian squad for the one-day leg of the tour to Australia that was announced a week ago was Ravindra Jadeja. Although chief selector Ajit Agarkar categorically said the 36-year-old is not out of the picture as they build a team for the 2027 World Cup, speculations have arisen that it could probably be the end of the road in the 50-over format for the gun all-rounder.
Jadeja, who was part of the victorious Champions Trophy squad this February-March and has been in exceptional form with both bat and ball in red-ball cricket starting with the England series, said the management has discussed the Australia exclusion with him and is confident of making a return soon.
“It's (selection) not in my hands,” said the Test vice-captain in a press conference following the second day’s play of the second Test against the West Indies here on Saturday. “I want to play (in ODIs). But at the end of the day, team management, selector, coach and captain know why I’m not in this series. There must be some reason behind it. They’ve spoken to me also about it. It's not like I was surprised when the team was announced and I'm not in it.
“It's a good thing that the captain, selector, coach talked to me and explained the reason behind it. So I'm happy about it. But whenever I get a chance next, obviously I'll try to do the things I’ve been doing for so many years. A major tournament like the World Cup, if I get a chance, there are a lot of one-dayers before it, and if I do well in it, it'll be good for Indian cricket. To win a World Cup is everyone’s dream, especially 50 overs. Last time we missed out narrowly. This time, if we can, we can complete whatever is left unfinished.”
Agarkar, in the press conference following the squad selection in Ahmedabad, had said they didn’t pick Jadeja because they couldn’t board a team with two left-arm spinners because Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar were chosen as frontline spin options.
“At the moment, we could only carry one (to Australia) and get some balance in the team with Washi and Kuldeep there as well. I don't think we are going to need more than that in Australia. But he is clearly in the scheme of things with how good he is, what he offers us as a batter and a bowler. You can't accommodate everyone. It's nothing more than that,” Agarkar said.
After the series against Australia, India are set to host South Africa and New Zealand in three ODIs each. The squad for those series will give an indication of what the management thinks about Jadeja.
Meanwhile, Jadeja lauded the passion and desire of young batters like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal, both of whom scored centuries in the first innings and have been in sensational form.
“As a team and as a captain, he (Gill) is performing well. The team is getting a lot of help because the captain is performing so well. I think the young generation takes responsibility for themselves. Like Jaiswal, he has also got a lot of runs in the last two years. I think the young generation takes responsibility for themselves. It's not like they leave it to someone else. It's a good thing for Indian cricket that they are getting used to playing long innings. I think it will be very beneficial for Indian cricket in the future.”