Jadeja dropped from ODI squad for New Zealand series; Pujara says Axar Patel is now first choice

Discussion over the ODI future of veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has intensified. It is being said that his ODI career is on the verge of ending, because he was not picked in the Indian squad for the five-match ODI series against New Zealand.

Jadeja's former teammate Cheteshwar Pujara has also spoken on the matter. According to him, Jadeja's career is now heading towards its end. Pujara said it will be difficult for Jadeja to find a place in India's squad for the 2027 World Cup. Abhishek Nayar, on the other hand, believes Jadeja could still get a place in the team as a back-up player.

In an interview to JioStar, Pujara said that if the team management wanted to keep Jadeja in the side, it would certainly have included him in the New Zealand tour. According to Pujara, the management's priority is now Axar Patel. He is being given regular opportunities, and as an all-rounder spinner Axar appears to be becoming the management's first choice.

Pujara also hinted in the interview that the team management may have told Jadeja to now focus on Test cricket, since the team does not see him in white-ball cricket. Jadeja has already retired from T20 international cricket.

Nayar offered a somewhat different view on Jadeja's future. He said, "Jadeja's return to the team is difficult, but if Axar Patel is injured or unavailable, he will be the first player to be called back." Nayar described Jadeja as an "insurance policy" for the team. According to him, the team has an experienced option in Axar, and if Axar is injured before the World Cup, Jadeja could return to the side.

Jadeja's recent ODI numbers also raise questions about his place in the team. Since the 2023 World Cup, he has played only 15 of India's 32 ODIs. In that period he has taken 14 wickets at a bowling average of 47.92. With the bat, he has 149 runs in 10 innings since the World Cup. He has not scored a single ODI half-century in the last six years.

His overall ODI record is as follows. Jadeja has played 212 matches and scored 2,905 runs, at a batting average of 32.28 and a strike rate of 85.54. His highest score is 87 and he has 13 half-centuries. With the ball he has 234 wickets, at an average of 36.78 and an economy rate of 4.91. His best bowling figures are 5/33, he has taken five wickets in an innings twice, and he has held 80 catches.