India vs Australia 2109: Ravindra Jadeja Expresses Gratitude After National Call Up

Ravindra Jadeja, the veteran all-rounder will replace Hardik Pandya in the Indian National Cricket team squad for the upcoming ODI series against Australia. Meanwhile, it will be a lifeline for Jadeja to impress the selectors ahead of the ICC World Cup in England and Wales.

Pandya, however, will undergo a strength and conditioning training at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru from next week. Hardik Pandya had suffered a lower-back injury during the Asia Cup match against Pakistan last year. And later on, he had to leave the field on a stretcher and missed three-four months of cricket. In his absence, Vijay Shankar will remain the sole bowling all-rounder in India’s 14-member T20I squad.

“The BCCI Medical team decided to rest the all-rounder and let him undergo strength and conditioning work for his lower back at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. Mr Pandya will begin his strength work from next week,” the BCCI said in a statement.

“The T20I squad will now consist of 14 members. Mr Ravindra Jadeja has been named as the replacement for Hardik Pandya for the 5 ODIs,” the statement added.

Jadeja last played for India in the 5th ODI against Australia in Melbourne last month. The left-armer didn’t find a place in the playing XI in the five-match ODI series against New Zealand, with Pandya getting a nod over him. Subsequently, he was also not in the squad for the T20I series. Moreover, the selectors also didn’t pick him in the series against Australia thus fading his chances for the World Cup. However, with this call-up, Ravindra Jadeja has got a lifeline to make a mark and be in the plane to England and Wales.

Following his call, the Saurashtra all-rounder expressed his gratitude on Instagram. He also noted that he is thankful for every second of his life.

“I’m thankful for every moment.#lifeisgood #happyday,” Ravindra Jadeja wrote on Instagram.

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