Goodbye, Jaddu: With Axar and Sundar waiting, under-firing Ravindra Jadeja may have already played his last ODI for India

Twice in the past 14 months, New Zealand have achieved historic breakthroughs on Indian soil — and on both occasions, the fallout has forced uncomfortable introspection within Indian cricket.

In 2024, it was an unprecedented 3–0 Test series whitewash that reopened long-suppressed debates around the futures of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in red-ball cricket. Seven months later, both stepped away from the format, despite selectors being prepared to offer them one final opportunity on the tour of England.

In 2026, New Zealand have done it again, registering their first-ever ODI series win in India. This time, the spotlight has turned firmly on Ravindra Jadeja.

A future quietly questioned

Jadeja’s white-ball future has largely escaped scrutiny amid broader discussions about India’s transition. That changed last October when he was omitted from the ODI squad for the tour of Australia, despite featuring earlier in the Champions Trophy. The omission raised immediate questions: had the selectors moved on? Was Jadeja still part of India’s plans for the 2027 World Cup?

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar dismissed the speculation at the time. “Taking two left-arm spinners to Australia wasn’t possible. Jadeja is clearly in the scheme of things,” he said.

Jadeja, who turned 37 in December and retired from T20Is after India’s World Cup triumph, echoed that confidence. “Whenever I get a chance next, I’ll try and do what I’ve done all these years,” he said in October. “If I do well before the World Cup, it will be good for Indian cricket.”

Returns that raise concerns

Jadeja returned to the ODI setup in November, with Axar Patel rested for the home series against South Africa. But since then, his performances have failed to reinforce his case.

Across six ODIs — three against South Africa and three against New Zealand — Jadeja has scored 99 runs from 112 balls at an average of 24.75 and a strike rate of 88.39. With the ball, the numbers are more troubling: just one wicket in 48 overs.

His struggles are not limited to a small sample. Since the 2023 World Cup, Jadeja has played 13 of India’s 23 ODIs, scoring only 149 runs at a strike rate of 95.91 without a single fifty. Among 146 batters to face at least 100 deliveries batting at No. 5 or lower in this period, Jadeja ranks 101st for strike rate.

In the death overs (40–50), his strike rate of 114 places him 42nd among batters in similar positions — a modest return for someone often tasked with finishing innings.

Recent matches underlined the issue. Against South Africa in Raipur, Jadeja managed 24 not out off 27 balls despite favourable dew conditions. Against New Zealand last week, his 27 at a strike rate of around 60 increased pressure on KL Rahul, who carried the scoring almost alone.

Bowling bite missing

If Jadeja’s batting has stalled, his bowling has arguably declined more sharply. While he has taken 12 wickets in 13 innings since the 2023 World Cup at an economy of 4.97, only one of those wickets has come since November, despite bowling 288 deliveries.

A narrowing window

India will not play another ODI until the tour of England in July, when attention will shift back to the 50-over format with the 2027 World Cup in South Africa looming.

Agarkar’s October comments suggest India are likely to prefer only one left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder in World Cup conditions that traditionally favour pace. The home series against South Africa and New Zealand presented Jadeja with a clear opportunity to stake his claim in Axar Patel’s absence.

Axar, despite modest batting returns, has been more effective overall — scoring 377 runs in 15 innings and taking 16 wickets at an economy of 4.32. Washington Sundar remains another option, with 13 wickets in 11 matches since late 2023, alongside useful lower-order runs.

Meanwhile, India’s increasing trust in Harshit Rana as a lower-order contributor — highlighted by his maiden fifty in Indore — combined with Hardik Pandya’s return and KL Rahul’s consistency, further compresses Jadeja’s space in the XI.

Jadeja may still believe there is time when India resume ODI preparations in the summer. But with alternatives offering greater balance and impact, it is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore the possibility that the veteran all-rounder may have already played his final ODI for India.