Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has urged his long-time spin partner Ravindra Jadeja to move beyond his comfort zone and experiment more, admitting that the all-rounder is going through a challenging phase in ODIs, with Axar Patel waiting in the wings should there be any major dip in form.
After the Champions Trophy 2025, Jadeja’s problems persisted. In the final ODI against New Zealand at Indore, he had yet another subpar performance with both bat and ball, giving up 41 runs in six overs while bowling without a wicket and scoring a slow 12-ball 16.
With just one wicket in six ODIs at an average of 298 and an economy rate of 6.2, Jadeja has had a difficult period since the ICC Champions Trophy title triumph last year. He has scored 99 runs in five innings at an average of 24.75 with a best score of 32. However, his strike rate has dropped to 88.39, which is not good for someone whose job it is to finish well for his team.
Speaking during ‘Ash ki Baat’, Ashwin said, “See, it is a very challenging time for Jadeja. We all know that Axar Patel is right back on his heels. The fact is that Jadeja has done well in ODIs; he is also playing the Test format. But it is not easy for Jadeja because it is more about his batting. There are talks emerging about his low strike rate against spinners. This is way too early to talk on anybody’s cricket or future.”
Ashwin stated that Jadeja will play in the IPL and that a decision may be made based on his performance there, but it is too soon to make any judgments.
“We have the T20 World Cup and the IPL after this. Remember that Jadeja will play the IPL. The performances there will lead to a decision. It is too early to make a decision on anybody,” he said.
Additionally, he said that Jadeja’s refusal to “flirt with new things” makes his strengths into his flaws. Noting that he has “nothing to lose” as a legend in the sport, he encouraged him to “experiment” more.
“Jadeja’s strength sometimes turns into his weakness. I sometimes get jealous. The kind of ability he has skills in batting, bowling and fielding. But he does not do one thing? He never goes out of his strengths. He has never really flirted with new things,” said Ashwin.
“He is a bona fide legend. He has nothing to lose, so I would like to see him experiment. I have seen him bowling carrom ball in the net practice, but he has never done so in a match. Would love to see him get a bit funky,” he added.
