232 wickets, 2905 runs and some memorable performances in ODIs later, it’s time to bid goodbye to India’s real 3D cricketer, Ravindra Jadeja, at least from the 50-over format. There is no doubt that he will continue to be India’s ace all-rounder in Test cricket for at least this WTC cycle, but in an ODI jersey, he might have played his last game. India have plenty of left-arm spin all-rounder options, with Axar Patel already being considered a backup. Jadeja’s performances in the IND vs NZ ODIs could be the last nail in the coffin.
Having been dropped for the Australia ODI tour on account of poor form, it seemed the selectors had moved on from him. But to manage Axar Patel’s workload before the T20 World Cup 2026, Jadeja found a way back in. However, he cut a sorry figure in the IND vs SA ODIs and then in the IND vs NZ ODIs. With the bat, he scored 56 runs in 2 innings against South Africa and 43 runs against New Zealand. With the ball, he picked up just 1 wicket in six matches.
Since the World Cup 2023, Ravindra Jadeja’s ODI career has nosedived. In 13 matches since, Jadeja has managed to score just 149 runs at an average of 29.8. While not many expect him to score centuries, considering India’s top and middle-order, the real concern is his bowling. Since the unfortunate final on November 19, 2023, Jadeja has bagged just 12 wickets in 13 matches. While one may attribute that to his defensive bowling in the middle-overs, he has failed in that department too. Since the ICC Champions Trophy, he has an economy rate of 6.2 in exchange for just one wicket.
“The ODI format has changed. You can’t just be a containing bowler in the middle overs. Everyone sees that phase as an opportunity to shift momentum, so you can’t just contain; you must also be aggressive and take wickets. Ravindra Jadeja needs to focus on that aspect of his game in ODIs,” former India pacer Zaheer Khan said on Cricbuzz.
Ravindra Jadeja since World Cup 2023
| Stats | Inns | Runs/ Wickets | Avg | Best | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Batting | 11 | 158 | 26.33 | 32 | N/A |
| Bowling | 14 | 12 | 48.75 | 3/26 | 4.91 |
Time’s up for Ravindra Jadeja in ODIs?
One might ask if it’s worth giving up on Jadeja, who has been a crucial cog in the 50-over setup for nearly 17 years. He might have hit bad form in the last two series. While that could be true and there is always a chance for Jadeja to return to form, especially with IPL 2026 around the corner, can India afford that?
On Sunday, when India needed him on the crease to support Virat Kohli in the 338-run chase, Jadeja managed just 12 off 16 balls. In the first two ODIs, he scored 4 and 27. But more importantly, the manner of shots he played to get dismissed raised questions. His last half-century came in 2010, and a five-wicket haul came back in the 2023 WC.
Till the World Cup in 2027, India are likely to play around 30 ODIs. And by the time India board the flight for South Africa in 2027, Jadeja will be 38. Axar Patel, on the other hand, will be moved back to the ODI setup after the T20 World Cup when India next play the 50-over format in June-July. To justify his inclusion, Axar has been a better batter and bowler in the ODIs compared to Jadeja.
“In ODIs, you must have variations. Though Jadeja is a proven performer across conditions, he bowls at a similar pace and can become predictable. With only one fielder up, it becomes easy for the batter if a bowler maintains the same speed. With Axar, he has variations. He changes his pace and uses angles at the crease really well. So there is healthy competition, and I am sure Jadeja understands this, as he knows his game well,” Ajinkya Rahane said on Cricbuzz.
In those 30-odd ODIs, India can also test the domestic left-arm spinners, including Shams Mulani, Manav Suthar and Sai Kishore, among others. Someone like Vipraj Nigam could also be considered, as he is a genuine all-rounder who bowls leg-spin.
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