Star Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who has 2756 runs and 220 wickets to his name in 197 ODIs played so far, has been rested and not dropped from India’s ODI team for the upcoming three-match series against Sri Lanka. After India’s squad was announced for the three ODIs against Sri Lanka next month, it was reported that the 35-year-old premier all-rounder was dropped, but according to a report in ESPNCricinfo on Sunday (July 21), Jadeja is only rested.
The selectors have reassured him that he is only being rested and that he remains India’s primary spin-bowling all-rounder. The report has stated two reasons why the BCCI has given Jadeja a break.
“Both the selectors and Gambhir are keen to give Axar Patel a chance in ODIs and see if he can play the same role he has successfully performed in T20Is. With just three ODIs in the Sri Lanka series, the selectors and Gambhir agreed that having two left-arm spin-bowling allrounders would be a surplus,” the report said.
“The second reason is that Jadeja is a key member of India’s Test line-up both home and away, a crucial cog in balancing their XI. India are scheduled to play 10 Tests—five at home and five in Australia—from September 2023 to January 2024, and they are looking to keep Jadeja, who is 35 and has missed a number of matches with injury over the last three years, as fresh as possible for those matches.”
In addition to Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav’s name was missing from the T20I squad even after he picked up 10 wickets in five matches of the T20 World Cup 2024 for India.
The reports state that like Jadeja, Kuldeep has also been rested and not dropped, and he remains India’s frontline spinner in the shortest format of the game.
“Yes, Kuldeep, who is part of the ODI squad, has been given a break from the T20Is and remains India’s frontline spinner in that format. The selectors want Ravi Bishnoi to gain more experience and believe he is the best option to be India’s second wrist-spinner behind Kuldeep,” the report said.
Kuldeep will return to lead India’s spin attack in the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka.
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