Some were startled when Ravindra Jadeja was left out of the India ODI squad for the tour of Australia, but the experienced all-rounder wasn’t shocked because the selection committee and team management had “communicated” to him that they couldn’t choose him for the national team.
Jadeja stated that he would like to play in the 2027 World Cup if given the chance, since the 50-over global tournament is still “unfinished business” following the devastating defeat to Australia in the 2023 final.
“It is not in my hands but I want to play the 2027 World Cup, but team management, selectors must have some kind of thinking as to why I wasn’t selected for the Australia ODIs,” Jadeja said after day two of the second Test against West Indies in New Delhi.
According to selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar, they didn’t select Jadeja because they didn’t think it made sense to select two slow left-arm orthodox spinners for a three-match ODI series (Axar Patel is in the squad).
Jadeja was happy to have been informed of their strategy, even though he did not reveal the details of the conversation that took place between him, Agarkar, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and captain Shubman Gill.
“There must be some reason and they have indeed spoken to me. It wasn’t like I was surprised once the team was announced and I didn’t find my name in it.
“It was good that the captain, (chief) selector and coach spoke to me as to what they are thinking and what their reasons are, so I am happy. But whenever I will get a chance, I will try to perform.”
Jadeja believes that the ODI matches that will be played in 2027 before the World Cup will determine a lot more than they do now.
“If I get a chance to play in the World Cup, it will depend on the matches leading up to the tournament and if I do well in those, then it will be good. Last time, we came close but missed it so that will be an unfinished job.”
Because Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill’s designated deputy, is recovering from a damaged foot, Jadeja has been named vice-captain for the West Indies series.
During the series, he’s often been spotted setting the field whenever Gill takes a brief break. But when asked if thoughts of captaincy ever cross his mind, he responded with a firm no.
“I don’t think about captaincy. That time I believe is long gone,” at 36, Jadeja who is unquestionably the oldest player in India’s Test squad, said.
Playing the role of mentor to the next generation makes Jadeja feel totally comfortable.
“I am available for the team. Like any youngster coming and talking to me. Kuldeep comes and asks about certain aspects of bowling, so I do tell him what I feel and what my thinking is.
“In case of batting, Jaiswal comes and asks and I tell him accordingly what I think should be the mindset keeping track and conditions in mind. Never thought of captaincy and I happy with what I have and do my work and go home,” he sounded completely practical in his approach.
When asked what he thought of Gill’s Test match captaincy, he talked like an elder statesman.
“As a captain, he is performing, so team is getting a lot of help. When captain performs, it obviously lifts the team. He did well in England and also here got a fifty in the first game.
“The best part is that young generation is taking a lot of responsibility, even Yashasvi Jaiswal scored a lot of runs in last two years. These youngsters are not only shouldering the responsibility but also ensuring that they don’t leave it on anyone else.”
According to Jadeja, Gill has now captained India in seven Test matches, including the current one, and his batting consistency has aided him.
“What stands out for Gill is his consistency as he has been scoring a lot of runs since he became a captain. That is a good sign for Indian cricket.”
He saved particular accolades for Jaiswal and his development as a batter over the course of these two years of playing Test cricket.
“In case of Jaiswal, he is very clever in terms what he wants to do while batting. When to attack and whom to attack and which shot to play, he has everything planned and that helps him get a lot of success and he plays all those big knocks,” he analysed.
In Test cricket, he has six hundreds and fifteen five-wicket hauls. When asked in a given Test match, how does he choose between bowling and batting, Jadeja’s well-known desi humor came to the fore.
“Batting wicket pe main batsman hoon aur bowling wicket pe bowler. Mujhe toh team mein bane rahna hai (I am batter on batting wicket and bowler on bowling wicket. I just want to be in the team),” the humour and sarcasm, nothing was lost on anyone.
It’s understandable why the team management didn’t request spin-friendly pitches against the West Indies for the current series after the plan to use rank turners against New Zealand last year went awry and cost India a spot in the World Test Championship final.
According to Jadeja, the Kotla track requires more shoulder use and physical exertion to obtain purchase from the pitch, even though the team had just requested a slow turner. Despite taking three wickets on the second day, Jadeja didn’t appear to be very bothered by the surface’s lack of assistance.
“No, I am not surprised because we have only asked for slow turners. We didn’t ask for rank turners. This is what we had expected that once the game progresses, the pitch would start (offering) turn slowly,” Jadeja responded when asked if he was as shocked as his West Indies opponent Jomel Warrican, who had different ideas after viewing the New Zealand series’ highlights.
“We have to work hard, bowl well throughout the innings and then only we will be able to get them out. We will continue to do it and hopefully produce good results.”
Jadeja believes that because of the slower pitch and deliveries losing pace off the surface, batters are finding it easier to play on the back foot.
“The bounce is on lower side and there isn’t much turn on offer. You have to use your shoulders a lot since less pace on deliveries enables the batter to easily adjust to the length and they can go on the back foot and play. So you have be a bit quicker in the air at times.
“It is not easy and not every ball is turning, hence there is a bit of hard work on cards. If we break this current partnership, then it will be easier, because they don’t bat deep. Like some other tracks, there is not enough fast turn off the surface,” he explained.
He added that there wasn’t much to make of the heated argument between Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal after the latter was run out.
“That’s misunderstanding which can happen. There is a case of yes no, yes no, the striker felt there was a run and non-striker thought otherwise. These things happen but good part was that we were in a good position at that time,” he said.
