Former Indian cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra has reckoned the veteran Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja wouldn’t find a spot in the Indian ODI squad for the forthcoming New Zealand tour.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra asserted that Jadeja getting limited opportunities and not making it to the XI in the third and final ODI against the West Indies made it seem like the decision has already been made on the veteran cricketer.
“You could have played either Ravindra Jadeja or Naman Dhir. You have, anyway, not played Ravindra Jadeja for a long time. He doesn’t play whenever Axar is there. I think he won’t be in the ODI squad for the New Zealand tour either. Ravindra Jadeja getting limited opportunities and not playing in this match makes it seem like the decision has been made. It comes across like they don’t want to go with Ravindra Jadeja,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
While Jadeja went wicketless in the ODI series opener, he picked up two wickets while conceding 75 runs from 10 overs in the second ODI. However, he was dropped from the XI in the third and final ODI, which India won by 2-1.
Further, Chopra expressed his disappointment with India’s decision to keep all-rounder Nitish Reddy below Naman Dhir in the batting order. Batting at No. 6, Dhir scored 30 off 21 balls. Nitish, who batted at No. 7, was dismissed for nine runs off 16.
“You brought Nitish Kumar Reddy back, which is good; he should be playing. You kept him below Naman Dhir. I don’t like it personally because you won’t be able to prepare Nitish like this. Looking from the World Cup’s perspective, you urgently need Nitish Kumar Reddy prepared,” he added.
