Despite playing more than 200 one-day internationals, Ravindra Jadeja is feeling the pressure for a place in the team. There was a time when Ravindra Jadeja walking in at No. 7 felt like insurance. A few quick boundaries, a couple of tight overs, a livewire in the field, Jadeja offered too good a package. That version of Jadeja hasn’t been seen in ODIs for a while now. And after two quiet games against New Zealand, the questions have started to get louder.
Jadeja under pressure in IND vs NZ ODIs
Mohammad Kaif didn’t try to be polite about it. Speaking on his YouTube channel, the former India batter drew a straight line between Jadeja and Axar Patel and made it clear who he believes is ahead in white-ball cricket. India have not included Axar in the ongoing ODI series as he prepares for the crucial T20Is that come next. He will be the vice-captain at the T20 World Cup 2026.
“If you have to choose one of the two, Axar is way ahead of Jadeja,” Kaif said. “Even in one-day. His strike rate and batting ability, ability to hit sixes, Jadeja does not have that. We have seen in the IPL as well. In white-ball, Axar is way ahead in batting. Even in bowling, he is ahead. Axar can bowl in the powerplay as well. I do not know why he is not even in the squad. Why are you backing Reddy against New Zealand, who are weak against spin. Anyway, you have Arshdeep, who is sitting out, so there are four pacers already.“
The numbers from this series don’t help Jadeja’s case. Scores of 4 and 27, no wickets in two matches, and an economy rate of almost 6 runs per over have never really put New Zealand under pressure. On a Rajkot pitch where the Kiwi spinners controlled the game, India’s senior left-armer looked unusually flat.
Kaif went further and questioned the balance India picked. “I want Jadeja and Axar to play together. If Axar was there in the last game instead of Reddy, there would be more balance. There is a difference in the bowling between Jadeja and Axar. People say both are left-arm spinners. They are, but both have different styles of bowling. Jadeja comes after the powerplay. Axar can take the new ball. He is the best bowler with the new ball. He took wickets with the new ball in the Champions Trophy too.”
All eyes on Jadeja in Indore ODI
Indore now feels important in a way a bilateral ODI rarely does. With Washington Sundar injured and Axar rested, Jadeja has had a clear run, but that window won’t stay open for long. The England series in June will bring Axar back, and younger options like Sundar, Riyan Parag and even Ayush Badoni are already in the conversation.
Jadeja’s ODI career has survived dips before, but the format itself has changed. Teams want finishers who can clear the ropes and spinners who can take wickets upfront, not just hold an end. At Holkar Stadium, barely two hours from the calm of Ujjain, where Virat Kohli sought blessings, Jadeja will face the heat.
Worst ODI bowling average & SR for India since 2025
| Player | Inns | Overs | Wkts | BBI | Ave | Econ | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammed Siraj | 5 | 36.0 | 4 | 2/40 | 43.75 | 4.86 | 54 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 12 | 103.0 | 12 | 3/26 | 41.75 | 4.86 | 51.5 |
| Hardik Pandya | 8 | 43.3 | 7 | 2/31 | 38.71 | 6.22 | 37.2 |
| Washington Sundar | 7 | 36.0 | 6 | 2/37 | 35.16 | 5.86 | 36 |
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