NEW DELHI: Star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is not part of India’s squads for the upcoming Sri Lanka series, beginning a new era under head coach Gautam Gambhir. This follows Jadeja, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma‘s retirement from T20 Internationals after India’s successful T20 World Cup campaign in the Americas.
Kohli and Sharma have been included in the ODI squad due to the limited number of matches before the ICC Champions Trophy next February.However, Jadeja’s absence triggered speculations about his future in the squad for the Champions Trophy.
Kohli and Sharma have been included in the ODI squad due to the limited number of matches before the ICC Champions Trophy next February.However, Jadeja’s absence triggered speculations about his future in the squad for the Champions Trophy.
Despite these rumors, a report by ESPNCricinfo clarified that Jadeja was rested, not dropped. As per the report, the selectors assured Jadeja that he remains India’s primary spin-bowling all-rounder.
The decision to rest Jadeja was influenced by two main reasons.
- Firstly, the selectors and Gambhir aim to test
Axar Patel ‘s ability to replicate his T20I performance in ODIs. - Secondly, they want to keep Jadeja fresh for the ten Test matches scheduled from September 2023 to January 2024. These matches include series against Bangladesh and New Zealand at home, and a challenging tour of Australia.
The strategic move underscores the importance of managing player workloads.
Ensuring top performers like Jadeja are in peak condition for crucial upcoming fixtures, highlights the necessity of resting certain players, the report added.
As Team India embarks on this new phase under Gambhir’s leadership, the focus remains on both immediate and long-term goals. The decision-making process appears to be well thought out to address current needs while planning for future challenges.