NEW DELHI: India chief selector Ajit Agarkar has clarified that all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been rested, not dropped, from the ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against Sri Lanka.
Despite initial speculation suggesting that the 35-year-old Jadeja had been dropped from the squad, Agarkar assured fans that the decision was strategic and aimed at giving Jadeja a break ahead of the tough Test season.
“It would be really pointless to take both Axar and Jadd for a three-match series,” Agarkar said.
“He’s had a great World Cup. He hasn’t dropped out at all. Neither of them would have appeared in the Games if we’d taken him. There’s a big Test season coming up. I think we probably should have made that clear when the squad was announced.” He is still part of the format, he is a very important player for us,” he added.
Jadeja boasts a remarkable ODI record, amassing 2,756 runs at an average of 32.42 with a strike rate of 85.06 and taking 220 wickets at an average of 36.07 with an economy rate of 4.88.
Despite his impressive contributions, the team management is exploring future options, with Axar Patel emerging as the primary all-rounder and Washington Sundar as the second choice.
Team India is scheduled to leave for Sri Lanka on July 22. The tour will kick off with a three-match T20I series starting on July 27, followed by a three-match ODI series.
