IND vs AUS: Ravindra Jadeja To Start Playing Again And Compete In The Ranji Trophy

A positive development for India is that top all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is poised to start playing again and will take part in Saurashtra’s last Ranji Trophy match, which begins on January 24. Chennai will host the game versus Tamil Nadu.

Last September, Jadeja had to withdraw from the Asia Cup so that he could have surgery on his right knee. Jadeja is finishing up his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore, and the selectors have nominated him to the 17-man Test squad for the first part of the four-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which starts in Nagpur on February 9.

The final two Tests will be held at Dharamsala and Ahmedabad after the second Test is played in Delhi.

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Ravindra Jadeja Away From The Game Since September Last Year

However, the selectors only chose Ravindra Jadeja if the NCA found him to be totally fit. Jadeja reportedly began to bowl and bat earlier this week, but before being cleared to play competitive cricket, he must pass fitness tests.

The selectors, together with the NCA and the Indian coaching staff, decided the all-rounder should play in the Ranji game before making a decision on his ability to participate in the Australia Test series.

This was done in consideration of Jadeja’s rustiness, as he hasn’t played any cricket since September and his most recent first-class match was the one-off Test at Edgbaston against England last July.

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A healthy Jadeja has demonstrated that he selects himself for the starting XI both at home and abroad. Jadeja, a left-handed hitter who bats at No. 5 or No. 6, provides balance to the middle of the batting order alongside R Ashwin as the top spinner, particularly in the absence of Rishabh Pant.

Selectors Aware Of Risks Of Hurrying Ravindra Jadeja Back

The selectors do not want to deny India access to Ravindra Jadeja’s match-winning skills, as he demonstrated throughout Australia’s previous Test series in India in 2016–17, but they are aware of the risks of hurrying him back.

India defeated Australia 2-1 in one of the most exciting bilateral series ever played, with Jadeja’s 63 in their first innings and a match-high four-wicket haul helping India to victory in the final Test at Dharamsala. Jadeja proved to be a challenge for Australia as he won Player of the Series for his 25 wickets and 127 runs.

Jadeja has 82 wickets at an average of 21.46 since 2017 in 19 Test matches, including three five-fors. Importantly, throughout this time, he has scored 898 runs at an average of 52.82, along with two centuries and seven fifties, increasing his worth as a batter steadily.

India and Australia are the favourites to compete in the World Test Championship final in June, which is set to take place at The Oval, therefore the outcome of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is important for both nations. India would become the first team to compete in the championship match of both WTC editions if they win the series and advance to the final.

Prior to the first Test, each side will hold its own training camp, with the Australians staying in Bengaluru and the Indians spending February 1–5 in Nagpur.

Also Read: IND vs AUS: “It’s The Hardest Tour”- Justin Langer Enthusiastic About Australia’s Trip To India

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