Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja’s future in international cricket is hanging in the balance following his poor results with bat and ball across formats. It is believed that Jadeja is still not confirmed for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
There has been a lot of talk recently about the transition in Indian cricket with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli at the helm. Rohit and Kohli recently endured a poor Test season at home and away, prompting the selectors to ponder their futures.
However, Jadeja’s future is also questionable. The all-rounder is one of the few senior members of the team and is still an active player in Test and ODI cricket. Jadeja retired from T20Is after India’s 2024 T20 World Cup title last year.
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Ravindra Jadeja’s participation in ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is in serious doubt
According to the BCCI, the Indian team management led by head coach Gautam Gambhir wants to prepare a strong core for the ODI World Cup 2027. The preparations for the tournament are likely to start from the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Ravindra Jadeja has not been at his best in Tests and ODIs lately. Although he has played some vital innings with the bat in Tests, his results in ODI cricket have been dwindling of late.
At No.7, he hasn’t made much of an impact with his lower order shots and has a strike rate of just 75 over the past few years. He was not picked for India’s ODI series in Sri Lanka last year as Axar Patel was picked instead.
A BCCI source revealed Gautam Gambhir’s vision for India’s ODI future. The source claimed that Gambhir wants to create a strong base for the ODI World Cup and will also decide on Jadeja’s future.
“(Gautam) Gambhir has been very persistent in building core teams according to formats. He hasn’t tinkered with the longer formats so far but has a clear vision of creating a strong base for the ODI World Cup. He is enthusiastic about unveiling a few more identified players,” TOI quoted him as saying. source of BCCI.
“It’s all about when the selectors decide that the transition should start. They will discuss whether they want to go with the safe option in Jadeja or move on immediately,” he added.
Jadeja is likely to remain in Tests
While Ravindra Jadeja’s Champions Trophy is in question, he is still in contention for the Test series against England in June because of his experience in a fragile middle-order. He could get a nod for the Champions Trophy because of Dubai’s spin-friendly pitches.
“When it comes to Test cricket, Jadeja is still pretty much in contention for the England tour due to his lack of experience in the middle order. But the selectors will have to call during the domestic season,” said the source.
“For the Champions Trophy, the selectors will be aware that the pitches in Dubai have historically been useful in slowing down bowlers,” he added.
Axar Patel is likely to replace Ravindra Jadeja
Axar Patel was seen as a replacement for Ravindra Jadeja as a left-arm all-rounder. Patel’s batting and bowling have grown over the years and he has shown that he possesses the skill required for international cricket.
Axar had the edge over Jadeja in the T20 World Cup 2024 as well. Although both played in the tournament, Axar was the preferred option for Rohit Sharma in both batting and bowling. He is likely to replace Ravindra Jadeja in different parts of the game.
Patel has also been promoted above the batting order at times. The source also confirmed that Kuldeep Yadav is likely to be fit before the Champions Trophy and his fitness is being closely monitored.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be played from February 19 to March 9. The tournament will be jointly organized by Pakistan and the UAE. Most of the matches will be played in Pakistan, but India’s matches will be held in Dubai.
