As Ravindra Jadeja was a notable absentee from India’s ODI squad against Australia, there were questions over his future in the format.
However, Ajit Agarkar, the chairman of the selection committee, clarified that resting the all-rounder was a strategic decision.
“At the moment, taking two left-arm spinners to Australia is not possible. He (Jadeja) is clearly in the scheme of things, given how good he is, but there will be some competition for places. It’s not that he’s out of contention. Of course, he was in the Champions Trophy squad because we took those extra spinners due to the conditions there,” Agarkar said.
With Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar in the squad, Agarkar said India did not need to carry another spinner as balance was the priority.
ALSO READ: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli return for Australia ODIs after Champions Trophy triumph
“At the moment, we can only carry one and maintain balance in the team with Washington and Kuldeep as well, and I don’t think we’ll need more than that in Australia. He’s clearly in the scheme of things because of how good he is and what he offers us as a batter and a bowler, but particularly in the field as well.
So, yeah, it’s just a three-match, short series. You can’t accommodate everyone, and unfortunately, at the moment, he’s missing out, but it’s nothing more than that,” he said.
In his last ODI stint at the Champions Trophy, Jadeja picked up five wickets in five matches at an average of 36.60, with an economy rate of 4.35.
The road ahead for Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah was also rested for the ODI series against Australia. With a packed schedule, Agarkar said that the fast bowler was ‘rested to manage workload’.
“There is always a plan. Wherever you can give him a break, you will, because we all know how important he is,” Agarkar said. “But we have also got to see what’s in the interest of the team, and when we need him to play, he should always be available. But we will look after not just him. (Mohammed) Siraj bowls a lot of overs as well. There are other guys who play Test cricket and end up bowling a lot. So you try to manage all the seamers so that you minimize the risk of injuries…”
In the England tour, Bumrah played only three Tests to manage his workload.
Published on Oct 04, 2025