Ravichandran Ashwin sees Ravindra Jadeja excluded from Australia series: ‘They are not looking at him for the next 50-over World Cup’

India’s last Team announcement for the ODI series against Australia It sparked widespread debate, especially regarding the absence of veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. Despite being fit and available, Jadeja’s exclusion from the 15-member squad raised eyebrows – and Ravichandran Ashwin’s outspoken behavior further fueled the debate.

R Ashwin believes Ravichandran Jadeja’s omission sends a clear message

Reacting to the development, R Ashwin gave a frank assessment of the omission of his long-time teammate, suggesting that selectors have moved on from Jadeja in the ODI preparation.

Speaking on Vimal Kumar’s YouTube channel, Ashwin said that the decision clearly reflects India’s long-term planning for the 2027 Cricket World Cup.

“They have dropped Ravindra Jadeja. It is a clear trend that they will not look at in the next 50th World Cup.” Ashwin noted. “There are about 10 ODIs left before the tournament. If you don’t pick him now, when will he play? I think it is clear that Axar (Patel) will play in the next World Cup.”

Ashwin, who has been involved in several match-winning partnerships with Jadeja in Test cricket, acknowledged the forward-looking approach of the selectors but also hinted that this could be the end of Jadeja’s ODI journey.

For the tour of Australia, selectors are opting for younger spin options

The Indian selectors were named and led by Ajit Agarkar Axar PatelAnd Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav as the three spin options for the upcoming Australian ODIs. The omission of Jadeja – who played 204 ODIs, scored over 2,700 runs and took 227 wickets – marked a major shift in India’s approach towards building a team for the upcoming World Cup cycle.

While addressing the media after the team announcement, Agarkar made it clear that Jadeja remains part of India’s overall ODI plans, but the current selection was dependent on the balance of the team and the expected conditions in Australia. However, Ashwin’s interpretation differs, suggesting that the decision signals a generational change.

Read also: Ajit Agarkar talks about Ravindra Jadeja being left out of the ODI squad for the tour of Australia

The end of the Jadeja era in ODIs?

Jadeja, who retired from T20 internationals in 2024, went on to represent India in Tests and ODIs. He was an important part of the Indian Champions Trophy winning campaign earlier this year, appearing in every match, including the final. However, his exclusion from the Australian tour despite his good form and injury-free form, left fans and pundits questioning the move.

Ashwin believes India’s strategy is focused on grooming young players like Axar and Washington Sundar, who have similar skill sets but offer longevity and resilience for future tournaments. “They are clearly heading towards the next cycle.” Ashwin said, stressing that the transfer, despite its difficulty, is necessary for the team’s development.

With only a handful of private equity firms remaining before the next FIFA World Cup in 2027, the Indian administration appears to be accelerating succession planning. The inclusion of emerging players and the rotation of senior players indicates a clear strategy for early experimentation and building squad depth.

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