Ravindra Jadeja (PTI Photo)
The 37-year-old was not included in India’s squad for the five-match ODI series against New Zealand, with Axar Patel currently the team’s first-choice left-arm finger spinner. India’s ODI series against New Zealand begins on November 4. So, it could be the end of the road because, obviously, he has retired from T20 Internationals. Because after Axar, there is no one.
“Looking at his age, I feel the team management might have told him that he is now only a part of Test cricket, so he should focus there, and that they are not looking at him for white-ball cricket. I feel he might not be selected just for the ODIs,” Pujara told JioStar, as quoted by news agency IANS. He described the senior all-rounder as an “insurance policy” for the team in case Axar is unavailable. If something happens to Axar Patel before the World Cup, Ravindra Jadeja will come into the team,” he said on the same show.
With the ODI World Cup a year away and Jadeja missing out on selection for overseas conditions, questions have been raised about his chances of making the squad for the tournament. Pujara feels Jadeja’s exclusion could signal the end of his ODI career, with Axar ahead of him in the team’s plans. Nayar, however, believes Jadeja could still be part of India’s plans as a backup for Axar at the World Cup. “Jaddu might not come back into the team, but if someone gets injured, the first name that will come to mind will be Jaddu. “The valid question right now would be: After Axar, who is the frontrunner? Currently, the frontrunner is Axar Patel, and after him, Jaddu is still your insurance policy. The series will give the team an opportunity to test its combinations against a strong opponent in challenging conditions as it prepares for next year’s World Cup, which will be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.