“What wrong have I done to be dropped from the side?”
This is probably the question going through Ravindra Jadeja’s mind at present. When he last played an international game, he bagged a ‘Man of the Match’ award but also earned few demerit points in that game, which resulted in him being dropped for the next Test match. Jadeja flew back home from Sri Lanka to spend time with his family and selectors too decided to give him rest for limited over series that followed. Jadeja was a happy man at home, spending time with his two month old daughter.
Itching to get back in action, Jadeja was all set to return to the ODI side for the first three ODIs against Australia, starting from September 17 but when BCCI tweeted the squad for the first three games, his name was nowhere to be seen. It came as a blow and straightaway, he expressed his displeasure against this on social media, only to take down the post later.
The message, however was sent to team management, loud and clear.
Jadeja got a reprieve when he was called in the team a day ahead of the start of series due to an injury to Axar Patel. But it turned out to be a mere formality as he did not play even a single game. Along with that, Axar continued to stay with the Indian team and travelled along with the boys, through which team management made it clear that Jadeja is again going on a rest or an exile.
As expected, as soon as the third ODI ended, BCCI announced the squad for the remaining two games and again, Jadeja’s name was nowhere to be seen.
By ignoring him again, selectors have sent a clear message to Jadeja that he is not the first choice in ODIs anymore. The pair of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal has done enough to sustain their place in the side and acquire the seat of the spinners, which was previously held by Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin. Even if there is a space left, it will be Axar who will come in and not Jadeja.
It’s a confusing stage to be in. Neither are you told the reason why have you been dropped from the side nor is anyone ready to answer your questions. It’s a tough stage for Jadeja but is he the lone victim of what is happening to him?
Surely not.
(Image Credits: BCCI)
November 14-16, 2013. These three days were probably the undeclared national holidays in India as Sachin Tendulkar was playing his last Test match and no one wanted to miss a glimpse of that game. The members of team India wanted to put forth their best for Sachin’s last match so as to make it a memorable one.
Though Sachin was the center of attraction in that game, it was Pragyan Ojha who shone and won the ‘Man of the Match’ award for his memorable ten-for. He did not get much attention, of course, but was the standout player in that game. It was a perfect tribute from Ojha to the Master Blaster. Post that game, what followed was a disappointing period for Ojha.
He was dropped from the playing XI in the following series and was ultimately ruled out of the Indian Test team and the man who replaced him was Ravindra Jadeja. He was the captain’s favourite and skipper MS Dhoni persisted with the all-rounder, rather than giving a chance to Ojha again.
Ojha is yet to play a Test match, despite the fact that it was Sachin Tendulkar’s retirement match and not Ojha’s.
Same is happening to Jadeja. He won the ‘Man of the Match’ award in his last game and now he is waiting for a chance to make another appearance in international cricket.
It’s a deja vu moment in Jadeja’s career and this time, he is at the opposite end whereas the other three spinners are the ones who are enjoying the captain’s support and backing.
Every captain has his favourites in the team, with whom he wants to carry on to accomplish the long-term goals.
Virat Kohli and company have put their eye on the next World Cup and already, they have started finding the prospects which they are looking at for the mega event. The current scenario tells us that the skipper is looking at the young blood in the team. The reason why Chahal and Kuldeep have been given an extended run whereas, on the other hand, Jadeja has been asked to go on an exile, also knows as ‘rest.’