Former India batter Aakash Chopra commented on Team India veteran Ravindra Jadeja ahead of the ODI series against the West Indies. India will host the West Indies for three ODIs and five T20Is. Jadeja returned to the ODI squad with Axar Patel away for the Asian Games 2026 as well. However, Aakash Chopra added that this would be an important series for Jadeja given his inability to pick up wickets the last time he played as well.

“It will be a big opportunity for Jadeja. You might think why would there be any challenge given where he is in his career as he has a celebrated career. But he is not playing a lot of ODIs. He is not there in any series. Now there is no Axar so he is back. It is important for him. The last time he played, he was not picking wickets. He will have to bowl ten overs and pick wickets if he wants to stay relevant and stay in the race as the World Cup is in South Africa. Only one of Axar or Jadeja will go and right now, Axar is slightly ahead in that race,” he said in a video on his YouTube channel.

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Aakash Chopra also felt that it would be an equally important series for India all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy. In Hardik Pandya’s absence, Reddy was removed from the Asian Games squad and added for the West Indies ODIs as well.

“It will be an important series for Nitish Kumar Reddy as well. As it is ODIs, he might get to bat more at six and a few more overs. It will also be an opportunity for some fast bowlers like Gurnoor Brar, Siraj, and Krishna. I do not see Nabi playing. I don’t think he will make it. There will be no batting at eight but India will have to bite the bullet,” he concluded.