Ravindra Jadeja has not been named in India's squad for the three-match ODI series against England. The matches will be played in Birmingham, Cardiff, and London, on July 14, 16, and 19, respectively.
The spin-bowling all-rounder played all three matches in the ODI series against New Zealand earlier this year and went wicketless. With the bat, Jadeja hasn't scored a half-century since 2020.
Aakash Chopra wondered whether the selectors have started looking beyond the veteran all-rounder. He noted that
Axar Patel and Washington Sundar have been picked as the two spin-bowling all-rounders in the side, with Kuldeep Yadav being the sole wrist spinner.
"Ravindra Jadeja's name is not there. Whenever there is a squad selection, they say that, 'No, no, we have not dropped him, he has got a role to play,' but he isn't being selected. Time and again, we are seeing that he isn't being picked. Every time there is a squad selection, someone else comes in, and he gets left out. Axar Patel is back, Washington Sundar is in the side. There are two finger spinners and one Kuldeep Yadav. This is where you are going to be. What is happening with Ravindra Jadeja?" Chopra asked in a video uploaded to his YouTube channel.
Chopra opined that even if Jadeja had a minor niggle during the IPL, he would have recovered by the time the ODI series gets underway. The former India opener said the selectors didn't give any clarification regarding Jadeja's absence, and he mentioned that it was a tough pill to swallow for him.
"The match is in mid-July, half the month will be done and I am sure he would be fit by the time, even if he had an injury issue during the IPL. The selectors or team management have not given any clarification regarding Jadeja's absence, which is a little strange. I find that a little tough to swallow. There is a possibility that selectors have made up their minds regarding Jadeja's future in international cricket," the cricketer-turned-exper stated.
