BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar has assured that Ravindra Jadeja remains an important part of India’s ODI plans, putting a full stop to rumours doing the rounds of social media about the possible end of Jadeja’s ODI career. Speaking at a press conference in Mumbai, Agarkar said that Jadeja remains an important member of the team as it prepares for international tournaments ahead.
“We should have clarified after the selection that Ravindra Jadeja has not been dropped. He’s very much in the scheme of things,” Ajit Agarkar said. The announcement comes on the eve of Team India’s departure for their tour of Sri Lanka, which kicks off their preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy that is scheduled to be held in Pakistan from February to March next year.
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The Champions Trophy is returning after seven years, and Pakistan will be defending champions based on their title win in 2017 under the captaincy of Sarfaraz Ahmed in England. The controversy is likely to visit the tournament as despite the assurance of the security situation of the Pakistan Cricket Board to ICC, it is still not sure if India will travel to Pakistan for the tournament.
Ajit Agarkar said, “there was no point in picking both Axar and Jadeja. One would have benched anyways. Jadeja is not dropped. A long Test season is coming”. pic.twitter.com/8CGz78jlOr
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) July 22, 2024
India’s ODI squad for the tour to Sri Lanka is looked upon as a forerunner to the one that will participate in South Africa’s ODI World Cup 2027. Veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who have retired from T20Is, are expected to focus on the 50-over format and bring home premier titles in Tests and ODIs. Both of them are also likely to play pivotal roles in leading India’s charge in the upcoming ICC events.
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This strategic approach underlines India’s commitment to getting a balance of experienced players with new talent in the side. With Jadeja coming into the team, all eyes are on the all-rounder to continue where he left off in the blue jersey, making impressions with bat and ball alike as India gears up for yet another set of critical tournaments.
India’s ODI squad for Sri Lanka tour
Rohit Sharma (c), Ꮪhubman Gill (vc), Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Riyan Parag, Axar Patel, Khaleel Ahmed, Harshit Rana.
