ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Ravindra Jadeja's participation under massive threat

India allrounder Ravindra Jadeja's future in international cricket hangs in balance after his low returns with bat and ball across formats. It is believed that Jadeja is still not confirmed for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Recently, there have been a lot of talks of transition in Indian cricket with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the front of it. Rohit and Kohli endured a poor Test season home and away recently which has prompted the selectors to think about their future.

However, Jadeja's future is in doubt as well. The all-rounder is one of the few senior members of the team and is still an active player in Test and ODI cricket. Jadeja retired from the T20Is after India's T20 World Cup 2024 title last year.

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Ravindra Jadeja's ICC Champions Trophy 2025 participation under serious doubt

According to the BCCI, India's team management led by the head coach Gautam Gambhir wants to prepare a solid core for the ODI World Cup 2027. The preparations for the tournament is likely to begin from the Champions Trophy 2025.

Ravindra Jadeja hasn't been at his best in Tests and ODIs recently. Although he has played a few vital innings with the bat in Tests, his returns in ODI cricket have been diminishing of late.

At No. 7, he hasn't created much impact with his lower-order hitting and has a strike rate of just 75 in the last couple of years. He wasn't selected for India's ODI series in Sri Lanka last year as Axar Patel was picked over him.

A BCCI source revealed about Gautam Gambhir's vision for India's ODI future. The source claimed that Gambhir wants to create a strong base for the ODI World Cup and Jadeja's future will be decided as well.

"(Gautam) Gambhir has been very assertive about creating core teams according to formats. As of now, he hasn't quite tinkered with the longer formats but has a clear vision for creating a strong base for the ODI World Cup. He is keen on giving exposure to a few more identified players," the BCCI source was quoted as saying by TOI.

"It's all about when the selectors decide the transition needs to kick in. They will discuss if they want to go with a safe option in Jadeja or move on right now," he added.

Jadeja likely to remain in Tests

While Ravindra Jadeja's Champions Trophy is in doubt, he is still in contention for the Test series against England in June because of his experience in a fragile middle order. He might get the nod for the Champions Trophy due to the spin-friendly pitches in Dubai.

"When it comes to Test cricket, Jadeja is still fairly in contention for the England tour due to lack of experience in the middle order. But the selectors will have to take a call during the home season," the source said

"For the Champions Trophy, selectors will be aware that pitches in Dubai have historically been helpful to slow bowlers," he added.

Axar Patel likely to replace Ravindra Jadeja

Axar Patel is seen as Ravindra Jadeja's replacement as the left-arm spin bowling allrounder. Patel's batting and bowling have grown over the years and he has shown that he has the skill required for international cricket.

Axar was preferred over Jadeja in the T20 World Cup 2024 as well. While both of them played in the tournament, Axar was Rohit Sharma's preferred option in both batting and bowling. He is likely to replace Ravindra Jadeja across different of the game.

Patel has been promoted above the batting order at times too. The source also confirmed that Kuldeep Yadav is likely to be fit before the Champions Trophy and his fitness has been closely monitored.

ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be played from February 19 to March 9. The tournament will be hosted jointly by Pakistan and UAE. Most of the matches will be played in Pakistan but India's matches will be held in Dubai.