Struggling Jadeja under fire in white-ball cricket

• Srikkanth questions Jadeja's ODI role, citing uncertainty in attack/defense. (78)
• Srikkanth advocates for 3 spinners/3 pacers, wants Axar Patel back. (77)
• Axar's absence leaves India without a 6th bowling option; Jadeja struggles. (89)

Former India cricketer Kris Srikkanth has raised concerns over Ravindra Jadeja’s role in the 50-over format, suggesting that the senior all-rounder appears

uncertain about whether to attack or defend during matches. Srikkanth’s remarks came in the aftermath of India’s seven-wicket defeat to New Zealand in the second ODI at Rajkot on Thursday.

Srikkanth questioned India’s current team balance and advocated for a bowling combination that includes three spinners and three pacers. He also challenged the idea that the bowling all-rounder in the side must necessarily be a medium pacer.

“Jadeja is one of my favourites. But he also does not seem to know what to do. He is also caught in two minds, to attack or flight, he does not know. It is an open secret (to bring Axar back). Why not play three spinners and three pacers? Is there a rule that the bowling all-rounder should only be a medium pacer?” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel 'Cheeky Cheeka'.

The former opener further highlighted the absence of Axar Patel from the ODI setup, urging the team management to consider reinstating him given his consistent performances in white-ball cricket. Srikkanth stressed that India lacked a sixth bowling option in Rajkot and felt Axar would have addressed that gap. Srikkanth went on to underline Axar’s recent contributions for India across formats.

“It is impossible to get a replacement for Hardik Pandya. You cannot. Axar would have been an ideal candidate for today’s match. The sixth bowler was missing today,” he added.

“Axar has a terrific record. He played the Champions Trophy, and he did very well. He won the T20 World Cup for us. Suddenly, he is nowhere. Where is Axar Patel? Where is he? The team is suffering at the end of the day,” he said.

With Washington Sundar ruled out of the ODI series against New Zealand, Jadeja remains the only spin-bowling all-rounder in the squad alongside wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav. Jadeja has endured a difficult run in the series so far, going wicketless in the first two ODIs and scoring 4 and 27 with the bat.

India will now face New Zealand in the series decider on Sunday at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore.