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Ravindra Jadeja has been left out India’s ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against EnglandDue to which questions are being raised on his future in the 50 over format. The 37-year-old all-rounder faces increasing competition, and his place in India’s plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup is no longer guaranteed.
India, led by Shubman Gill, recently won 3-0 over Afghanistan. With Jadeja also absent from that series, the team management was considering other all-rounder options. In his absence, Harsh Dubey got his chance in the Afghanistan series and made his ODI debut in the opening match.
Ravindra Jadeja’s ODI future is in the news after failure in England series.
The experienced all-rounder has struggled in ODI cricket recently. In three matches against New Zealand this year, he did not take any wicket and gave more than six runs per over. With the bat, his highest score since his last ODI half-century is 45 not out against Australia in Canberra in 2020.
Jadeja played a key role in India’s ICC Champions Trophy winning campaign last year. However, with the team’s focus turning to the 2027 ODI World Cup, the selectors appear keen to give more opportunities to young players and test new combinations.
Jadeja has enjoyed an illustrious ODI career since making his debut in 2009. He has played 210 ODIs, scoring 2,905 runs at an average of 32.28, with 13 fifties and a highest score of 87.
With the ball, Jadeja has taken 232 wickets at an average of 36.54 and an economy rate of 4.89. He was also a key member of India’s World Cup squads that reached semi-finals in 2015, 2019 and 2023.
Selectors favor young all-rounders in place of Ravindra Jadeja for England series
The selectors preferred Akshar Patel and Washington Sundar over Ravindra Jadeja in the role of all-rounder. Jadeja and Axar offer similar skills with bat and ball, and the selectors are reluctant to have two left-arm spinners in the same ODI team.
Age is also a factor in India’s long-term planning. Jadeja is 37 years old, while Axar is 32 years old and Sundar is 26 years old. The team management is keen to give young players a longer term in the format. Akshar has become a reliable lower-order batsman, while also providing handsome versatility.
However, Jadeja’s ODI career may not be over. Former India captain Kris Srikkanth had recently said that it would be unwise to leave him out of India’s plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup. At the moment, the selectors are focusing on building the next generation and preparing the team for the upcoming World Cup cycle.
What could be Ravindra Jadeja’s next responsibility after the snub in England ODI?
Ravindra Jadeja had already retired from T20I cricket along with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli after India’s T20 World Cup 2024 win. While speculations continue to grow over his ODI future, the experienced all-rounder has not made any official announcement regarding his retirement from the 50-over format.
He remains an important part of India’s Test setup. His next assignment is likely to be the Test series in Sri Lanka this August, where he is expected to play a key role on spin-friendly pitches alongside young left-arm spinner Manav Suthar, who made his debut against Afghanistan in Mullanpur.
Team India’s ODI squad for England tour
Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli*, Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar.