Overview
- India left Ravindra Jadeja out of the three-match Australia ODI squad, preferring Axar Patel and Washington Sundar as spin-bowling all-rounders.
- Ravi Shastri said Jadeja will be "in the mix" for the 2027 ODI World Cup, citing his fitness, fielding and adaptability.
- Shastri explained the Australia decision as understandable for a short series and suggested both Jadeja and Axar could feature in South Africa.
- Ricky Ponting lauded Jadeja’s longevity and athleticism, calling him the "modern-day Benjamin Button" and placing his fielding in the top echelon.
- Jadeja’s case rests on elite metrics, including holding No. 1 in the ICC Test All-Rounder rankings since 2022 and a career-high No. 25 Test batting rank built on strong series against England and the West Indies.