New Delhi, India

Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee explained why ace all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is rested and not dropped from the ODI squad for the Sri Lanka series. Team India gears up for the white-ball series against Sri Lanka starting July 27. While Pallekele will host three T20Is, Colombo will be the venue for the One-Day matches. Jadeja, who announced his T20I retirement following the World Cup win in the Americas, will remain on rest and be available for the home season.

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Jadeja wasn’t Team India’s best player during the 20-team tournament in the USA and the Caribbean; however, his partner and fellow all-rounder, Axar Patel, did wonders throughout, including playing a handy knock of 47 in the final against South Africa.

Considering Jadeja, 35, is approaching the fag end of his career, at least in the ODIs, the selectors are keen on trying Axar Patel in his place, looking at him as a long-term backup option in white-ball cricket.

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“Both the selectors and Gambhir are keen to give Axar Patel a chance in ODIs and see if he can play the same role he has successfully performed in T20Is. With just three ODIs in the Sri Lanka series, the selectors and Gambhir agreed that having two left-arm spin-bowling all-rounders would be a surplus,” a report published in ESPNcricinfo read.

Remaining firm on their stance of considering Jadeja a prime first-team player in the ODIs, the selectors shared the same thoughts for Kuldeep Yadav, who, per them, is also rested and not dropped from the T20I squad. He is, however, picked in the ODI squad for the Sri Lanka series. 

Meanwhile, Kuldeep was India’s best bowler in the middle overs during the T20 WC, having picked up ten wickets in five matches.

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“Yes, Kuldeep, who is part of the ODI squad, has been given a break from the T20Is and remains India’s frontline spinner in that format. The selectors want Ravi Bishnoi to gain more experience and believe he is the best option to be India’s second wrist-spinner behind Kuldeep,” the report said.

Team India squads for Sri Lanka series –

ODI Squad - Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Riyan Parag, Axar Patel, Khaleel Ahmed and Harshit Rana

T20I squad - Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Shubman Gill (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh, Riyan Parag, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Khaleel Ahmed and Mohammed Siraj.

(With inputs from agencies)