Future Plans for Jadeja, Shami, Hardik, and Rahul Revealed
With the announcement of India’s squads for the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka, questions have arisen about the future of key players like Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Hardik Pandya, and KL Rahul. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at their current statuses and what lies ahead.
Ravindra Jadeja’s Role
Jadeja, who retired from T20I cricket after the World Cup, was not included in the ODI squad for the Sri Lanka tour. However, selectors have reassured him that he is only being rested and remains a crucial spin-bowling allrounder for India. The decision to rest Jadeja is twofold: to give Axar Patel a chance to prove himself in ODIs and to keep Jadeja fresh for India’s packed Test schedule from September 2023 to January 2024. Jadeja is essential for both home and away Test series, including the upcoming series in Australia.
Mohammed Shami’s Status
Shami has been recovering from Achilles tendon surgery and is currently at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. He has not played competitive cricket since the 2023 World Cup final. While there is no definitive return date, selectors hope to see him feature in the home Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand before the tour of Australia. If fit, Shami could also be considered for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Hardik Pandya’s ODI Concerns
Hardik Pandya requested a break during the ODI leg of the Sri Lanka tour. He has not played 50-overs cricket since injuring his ankle during the World Cup in November. Despite being a valuable asset, selectors are concerned about his inability to bowl his full 10-over quota in ODIs. As a result, they are focusing on developing back-up allrounders like Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Riyan Parag.
KL Rahul’s Position
Rahul’s omission from the T20 World Cup squad signaled his reduced role in T20Is. However, he remains a key player in ODIs and Tests. Rahul kept wickets in the absence of Rishabh Pant during the 2023 World Cup. Both Rahul and Pant are named as wicketkeepers for the ODI leg of the Sri Lanka tour. Dhruv Jurel is seen as the main back-up keeper across formats, which explains why Sanju Samson was not selected for the Sri Lanka ODIs despite a recent century.
Additional Insights
- Kuldeep Yadav: Rested from T20Is to give Ravi Bishnoi more experience.
- Yuzvendra Chahal: Remains a back-up option, but not a primary pick due to limited utility outside bowling.
- Mayank Yadav and Mohsin Khan: Both fast bowlers are recovering from injuries and are being considered for future opportunities.
- Tilak Varma: Currently out due to a hand injury but remains in the selectors’ plans.
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