Is Ravindra Jadeja's ODI career over?

The much-anticipated announcement of India’s ODI squad for the upcoming series against Australia brought several headline-worthy updates. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have returned to the squad, while Shubman Gill has been appointed as the new ODI captain, taking over from Rohit. However, one notable omission that grabbed attention was all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja.

Jadeja, who has been a consistent performer for India and played a pivotal role in the Champions Trophy triumph, has been left out of the three-match ODI series against Australia starting October 19. His exclusion sparked speculation about his future in India’s ODI setup.

At the post-announcement press conference, Ajit Agarkar clarified that Jadeja’s rest was a strategic decision rather than a reflection on his form or abilities. With Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar already included, India could not accommodate three spinners for a short three-match series, and maintaining team balance was the priority.

“Right now, taking two left-arm spinners to Australia isn’t possible. Jadeja is clearly in our plans given his quality, but there will be competition for places. His inclusion in the Champions Trophy squad was due to the conditions there and the need for extra spinners,” Agarkar explained.

“At the moment, we can only carry one left-arm spinner while maintaining balance with Washington and Kuldeep. Jadeja remains important because of his batting, bowling, and exceptional fielding. It’s just a short, three-match series, so not everyone can be accommodated. His absence is purely logistical, nothing more,” he added.

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Jadeja has been in outstanding form across formats. In India’s ongoing Test series against the West Indies, he scored his fifth Test century in the first Test in Ahmedabad and followed it with a 4/54 bowling performance, earning the Man of the Match award. During India’s last ODI stint in the Champions Trophy, he took five wickets in five matches at an average of 36.60, with an economy rate of 4.35.

While Jadeja will miss the Australia tour, Agarkar reaffirmed that he remains an integral part of India’s ODI plans, with an eye on the 2027 ODI World Cup. His all-round abilities—batting, bowling, and fielding—ensure that he continues to be a key asset for the Men in Blue.