"Don't be surprised if Ravindra Jadeja doesn't make an ODI comeback" - Former India opener on star all-rounder's future after Australia tour snub

Published - 05 Oct 2025, 10:11 IST | Updated - 05 Oct 2025, 10:26 IST

Ravindra Jadeja and Varun Chakaravarthy failed to retain their spots in India's ODI team for the upcoming tour of Australia despite doing well in the 2025 Champions Trophy. While Jadeja played well in the final, Chakaravarthy finished with nine wickets from three games.

India have picked spin-bowling all-rounders Washington Sundar and Axar Patel in the line-up for the three-match series, which begins on October 19 in Perth. Former India opener Aakash Chopra opined that Sundar and Patel are better batters in ODI cricket than Jadeja, and reckoned that the management is expecting them to play key roles in the 2027 World Cup.

"Jadeja's performance was good in the Champions Trophy final. Rohit has only lost his captaincy, but he has lost his place in the team. The reason given is that there was no place for too many spinners. But Varun Chakaravarthy is also not there. He played the Champions Trophy final," Chopra said during a discussion on his YouTube channel.

"Washington Sundar was not even in the team [playing XI]. He has been picked, so Washington Sundar has become your three-format player. Shubman Gill, Axar Patel and Harshit Rana are the other all-format players. I think this is preparation for the World Cup. Washi and Axar could be there. Both are better batters in the format. Jadeja may come back, but don’t be surprised if he doesn’t," the 48-year-old added.

It has been a great year for Shubman Gill, who was recently appointed as the Test captain ahead of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Before the Asia Cup, he replaced Axar Patel as the vice-captain in T20Is. On Saturday, October 4, the Punjab batter was announced as India's new ODI skipper, replacing the legendary Rohit Sharma.

Ex-India spinner reacts to Rohit's removal as ODI skipper

Virat Kohli and Rohit will be making their returns to international cricket during the tour of Australia. Their last appearance in international cricket was the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand in March.