Ravindra Jadeja rested from Sri Lanka ODIs, not dropped

It has been reported that Ravindra Jadeja is rested for Sri Lanka ODIs and not dropped. Jadeja recently announced his T20I retirement after India won the World Cup and when the all-rounder’s name was not there in the ODI squad for Sri Lanka, many cricket boffins questioned his white-ball format’s future.

Jadeja has been a consistent performer for India in the 50-overs format as he has delivered with both bat and ball. The southpaw has scored 2756 runs in 197 ODIs and he has also scalped 220 wickets.

“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,” ESPN 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.”

On the other hand, Kuldeep Yadav, who picked 10 wickets in five matches of the T20 World Cup, has not been picked in the T20I squad. However, the reports states that the wrist spinner has been given a break in T20Is.

“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.