Former Indian cricketer Abhishek Nayar explains why Ravindra Jadeja could still be part of India’s ODI teamScroll down to read the full story.
Published: October 31, 2026, 2:48 PM IST
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Abhishek Nayar explains why Jadeja could still be part of ODI team (Image – X)
Former Indian cricketers Abhishek Nayar and Cheteshwar Pujara having a discussion on star Indian player Ravindra Jadeja’s future for the Indian team in the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.
Speaking on JioHotstar, Cheteshwar Pujara shared his thoughts regarding dropping Ravindra Jadeja from the ODI squad against New Zealand, a signal to his retirement from the format.
Read more:
Ravindra Jadeja set to miss out on India’s 2027 ODI World Cup plans amid Axar Patel’s rise
“I believe so, because if you want to keep Ravindra Jadeja in ODI cricket, then he should have been selectedI’m sure it was communicated to him that he might not be selected because Axar Patel has been the main all-rounder in ODI cricket and is being given more opportunities.”
“Looking at his age, I feel the team management might have told him that he is now only a part of Test cricket, so he should focus there, and that they are not looking at him for white-ball cricketSo, it could be the end of the road because, obviously, he has retired from T20 InternationalsI feel he might not be selected just for the ODIs,” he added.
Meanwhile, Abhishek Nayar explained why Ravindra Jadeja still could be a part of the Indian team in the ODIs“Jaddu might not come back into the team, but if someone gets injured, the first name that will come to mind will be Jaddu.”
“Because after Axar, there is no oneThe valid question right now would be: After Axar, who is the frontrunner? Currently, the frontrunner is Axar Patel, and after him, Jaddu is still your insurance policyIf something happens to Axar Patel before the World Cup, Ravindra Jadeja will come into the team.”
Cheteshwar Pujara also talked about Kuldeep Yadav as he raised a point why Kuldeep Yadav has not been a regular in the ODI side.
“I think in ODI cricket, you need depth, especially when you play outside IndiaSo, when you look at any team, their balance is better only when they have the option of batting at number seven and number eight.”
“Number seven has to be an all-rounder, and number eight has to be a bowler who can bat a bitWith Kuldeep, he is a very good bowler, but his batting is not up to the markSo, India are always looking at someone who can bat at number eight,” he added.
Abhishek Nayar opens up on the importance of having five proper bowlers in ODI cricket“In T20 cricket, I believe you need depth because you play attacking cricketIn ODI cricket, you have time to adapt, right? According to me, if you don’t take wickets, no matter how long your batting line-up goes, very rarely will a team win a championship because of their seventh or eighth batsman.”
“However, it has happened many times that the fifth bowler can win you a championshipIn the last World Cup, the differentiating factor was how Australia bowledIn the final, Australia took regular wickets, restricted India and then won the championshipSo, for me, in ODIs, bowlers win you tournaments,” he added.
