Ravindra Jadeja broke the silence on his omission from the India ODI squad for Australia tour on Saturday. India’s veteran all-rounder said that he wasn’t surprised when the decision came out as Gautam Gambhir, Shubman Gill and Ajit Aghkar had already communicated to him about their inability to pick him in the national team.
The absence of one of India’s most seasoned all rounders and trusted fielders on the ground in the upcoming ODI series against Australia had previously drawn a sharp reaction from fans online, who gloomed over the implication of the decision for Jadeja’s World Cup appearance in 2027.
Jadeja on playing the World Cup
Speaking to reporters after completion of the second day of the ongoing series, Jadeja said that he is keen on playing the 2027 World Cup as the 50 over global edition remains an “unfinished business” after the heartbreaking loss 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 told reporters.
Chairman of selection committee Ajit Agarkar has said that they didn’t pick Jadeja as they didn’t see logic in picking two slow left-arm orthodox bowlers (Axar Patel is in the squad) for a three-match ODI series.
While the off spinner didn’t divulge the discussion between him, Agarkar, head coach Gautam Gambhir and skipper Shubman Gill, he was pleased that he at least has been told about their plan of action.
“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 get a chance, I will try to perform. Last time, we came close but missed it so that will be an unfinished job.” Jadeja said.
Jadeja on captaincy
Jadeja had been recently appointed vice-captain for the West Indies after Gill’s former deputy Rishabh Pant was ruled out because of his foot injury. When asked if the thoughts of leadership crossed his mind, the Indian all-rounder responded with a big no. “I don’t think about captaincy. That time I believe is long gone,” Jadeja, certainly the oldest man at 36 in India’s Test playing eleven, said.
When asked about his views on Gill’s captaincy so far, Jadeja was all praise for Gill and the remaining young players. “As a captain, he (Gill) is performing, so the team is getting a lot of help. When the captain performs, it obviously lifts the team. 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,” India’s veteran all-rounder said.
“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,” he concluded.