After taking 232 wickets, scoring 2905 runs and leaving behind innumerable shining ODI moments, it is time to bid farewell to Ravindra Jadeja, India’s real 3D cricketer, at least in the 50-over format. He will still be the best Indian Test all-rounder through this WTC cycle, but when it comes to ODIs, he might have already played his last match. With Axar Patel already backing up, India now has several left-arm spin all-rounder choices. Jadeja’s performances in the IND vs NZ ODIs might have determined his destiny.

 

Jadeja’s place was lost to the Australia ODI tour due to his bad form, and many believed the selectors had already forgotten him. Nevertheless, he was called up for ODIs to help Axar Patel’s workload before the T20 World Cup 2026. But he could not make an impact in the IND vs SA ODIs and then again in the IND vs NZ ODIs. He batted twice against South Africa for a total of 56 runs and scored 43 runs against New Zealand. In the 6 encounters, he bagged just a single wicket with his bowling.

 

After the 2023 World Cup, Ravindra Jadeja's ODI stats saw a major decline. He was able to make just 149 runs in 13 matches post the tournament with an average of 29.8. Despite the fact that the Indian batting order is very strong, no one is looking for him to score even hundreds, the main concern is his bowling performance. After the heartbreaking final on November 19, 2023, Jadeja has managed to take only 12 wickets in 13 games. Some critics might point to his defensive middle-over spells, but that hasn’t given him the wickets either. Since the ICC Champions Trophy, he has the worst economy of 6.2 in the entire tournament and has taken only one wicket.

 

Is time up for Ravindra Jadeja in ODIs?

 

The crucial question now is whether India should part ways with a player who was an indispensable part of their ODI squad for almost 17 years. No doubt he has performed poorly in the last couple of series. He always has a chance to come back, especially with IPL 2026 around the corner, but will India take such a risk?

 

It was on Sunday when India required his presence at the crease to help Kohli in the chase of 338 runs, that Jadeja could only manage to score 12 runs off 16 balls. In the first two ODIs, his scores read 4 and 27, respectively. More alarming than the figures were the choices he made while batting that led to his getting out. The last time he scored fifty in an ODI was in 2010, and it was during the 2023 World Cup that he took his last five wickets.

 

Ravindra Jadeja since World Cup 2023:

 

Stats	Inns	Runs/Wickets	Avg	Best	Eco
Batting	11	158	26.33	32	N/A
Bowling	14	12	48.75	3/26	4.91

 

Read also: Kohli and Kuldeep Visits Ujjain Temple Ahead of Decisive India vs NZ ODI

 

In the run-up to the 2027 World Cup, India will play approximately 30 ODIs. Coming 2027, Jadeja will be already 38 when the team departs for South Africa. On the other hand, Axar Patel will firmly rejoin the ODI team after the T20 World Cup when India plays its next ODIs in June-July. Currently, Axar gives more worth with bat and ball in ODIs.

 

India may also experiment with domestic left-hand spinners like Shams Mulani, Manav Suthar, and Sai Kishore during those 30 scheduled ODIs. Someone like Vipraj Nigam could also be considered, as he is a complete all-rounder who bowls leg-spin.