New Delhi. The Board of Control for Cricket in India has given indications regarding the possible structure of Team India for the 2027 World Cup. One big name missing from India’s full-strength squad announced for the ODI series against England on June 21 was Ravindra Jadeja. Jadeja, who took 232 wickets and scored almost 3000 runs in ODIs, was neither selected for the Afghanistan series nor for the England tour. Akshar Patel returned in his place. India has to play about 21-24 ODI matches till the World Cup 2027, and the current situation is not giving good signs for Jadeja.
His performance since the 2023 World Cup has been average and the selectors have probably now decided to move on. This time, no reason was given for Jadeja’s exclusion in the BCCI press release. According to sources, “At present, Axar Patel is the first choice in white-ball cricket. Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav are also in the team. In such a situation, it becomes difficult to include Jadeja in the team and then play him. I will not say that Jadeja’s career is over, but it is definitely difficult to make his place in the 2027 World Cup team. Age is also not in his favor.
Jadeja with ‘less contribution’
After the 2023 World Cup final, India has played 26 ODI matches, out of which Jadeja played only 13 matches, which also includes the ICC Champions Trophy. He was dropped from the Australia tour after a weak performance against South Africa at home. Since the 2023 World Cup, Jadeja has taken 12 wickets in 13 matches and scored 149 runs. The figures are not very bad, but in comparison Axar Patel has taken 16 wickets in 17 matches and scored 377 runs, which clearly shows the priority of the selectors.
Akshar ahead of Jadeja
Axar is ahead of Jadeja in white-ball cricket, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar had made this clear before the Australia tour in October 2025. He had said, “Jadeja is in our plans, but there is competition for a place in the team. In the Champions Trophy, we had kept extra spinners due to the conditions. For now, to balance the team, we can keep only one spinner because Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav are also present and I do not think we will need more spinners than this in Australia. Due to the emergence of Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav being a specialist spinner, the 38-year-old Jadeja has got the support of the selectors for the 2027 World Cup. Not getting it, even if the team loses its best fielder.
Priority for fast bowlers
Team combination will also play an important role in the World Cup to be held in South Africa. The conditions there will not be very favorable for spinners, so India will include an additional fast bowler in the team instead of an additional spinner. India cannot leave out Kuldeep Yadav and Akshar Patel. Kuldeep is a specialist spinner, while Axar offers better batting options. Washington also bats usefully with beautiful off-spin. In such a situation, it becomes difficult for Jadeja to make a place in the team. Also, at the age of 38, it takes more time for him to recover from injuries.
Even in IPL, he was seen struggling with knee problems and tennis elbow. After retiring from T20 International cricket after the 2024 T20 World Cup, he was not the first choice even in ODIs. The selectors want him to focus on Test cricket, where the aim is to reach the World Test Championship final. At the same time, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to be held next year will also be important for them, because players like Manav Suthar are presenting a challenge.
Is Jadeja’s ODI career over?
Indications are that Jadeja has played his last ODI for India? There are still 15 months left for the 2027 World Cup, in which India will play about 24 ODI matches. Looking at the team combination, Axar Patel is the first choice as a left-arm spinner. Unless Akshar is injured, it is difficult for Jadeja to go to South Africa. Even if Akshar gets injured, Washington Sundar can be the second choice. Due to this, the doors of the ODI team may almost be closed for Jadeja. Unlike the Champions Trophy in Dubai, India will not need an extra spinner in South Africa. Apart from this, Team India has already indicated that it is preparing to move ahead with Jadeja by giving a chance to Manav Suthar in the Test and Harsh Dubey in the ODI series against Afghanistan. Although BCCI has not said anything like this officially, the circumstances and indications suggest the same.
