In a significant boost for domestic cricket, star Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has officially confirmed his availability for the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy. He will represent his domestic side, Saurashtra, in two crucial group-stage matches.
Jadeja's Domestic Comeback: Dates and Venue
The Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) has confirmed that Ravindra Jadeja will take the field for the team on January 6 and January 8. The fixtures will see Saurashtra clash with Services and Gujarat, respectively. Both encounters are scheduled to be held at the Alur ground. A senior SCA official, in communication with TimesofIndia.com, stated the plan is firmly in place for now, pending any last-minute changes from the national selectors.
National Duties Could Alter Plans
While the current schedule is set, there is a possibility of alteration. If Jadeja is selected for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand, and the Indian team assembles early in Vadodara for the series opener on January 11, his Vijay Hazare Trophy appearance might be cut short. As of now, the intention is for him to gain valuable game time in these two domestic outings.
Jadeja's return to the national ODI setup against South Africa came after he was surprisingly overlooked for the series in Australia. During the South Africa tour, the 37-year-old left-arm spinner managed to claim only one wicket across three matches and scored 56 runs with the bat in two innings.
The Axar Patel Factor and Future Prospects
Jadeja's absence in Australia opened the door for Axar Patel, who seized the opportunity impressively. Axar emerged as India's second-highest run-scorer in that series with 75 runs and also picked up three wickets. This performance has ignited a direct competition for the left-arm spinning all-rounder's spot in the team.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar had earlier addressed Jadeja's omission for the Australia ODIs, clarifying that the veteran remains in the team's plans but faces stiff competition. Agarkar emphasized the need for team balance, which at the time favoured carrying just one left-arm spinning all-rounder alongside Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav.
Looking ahead, the road to the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa presents a challenging scenario. Unlike the Champions Trophy in Dubai, India is highly unlikely to accommodate two left-arm spin all-rounders in their squad for the marquee event. This sets the stage for an intense battle for supremacy between the experienced Jadeja and the in-form Axar Patel in the coming years.
