India’s team management are reportedly not looking at Ravindra Jadeja as an automatic choice for the 2027 ODI World Cup. As per reports from Times of India, his spot in the squad is under review as the side focuses on building younger backup options and addressing fitness concerns across the board. Jadeja has already been left out of recent ODI assignments including the series against Afghanistan and the England tour. His last appearance in the format came against New Zealand at home earlier this year. He is set to turn 38 in December and the veteran all-rounder is no longer an automatic pick in this format.
Jadeja’s career numbers remain impressive having played 210 ODIs and scored 2905 runs at an average of 32.27 and also picked up 232 wickets. Across three World Cups he has played 21 matches, scoring 254 runs and taking 27 wickets, with a highest score of 77 and best bowling figures of 5/33. But his recent white-ball form and the management’s preference for younger players makes it difficult particularly with the team looking at Axar Patel as the lead spin-bowling all-rounder. Selectors and the coaching staff under Gautam Gambhir want players who can contribute higher up the order and are looking for youngsters.
Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy injuries leave without many options
India’s middle-order depth is out of options right now because of the prolonged injuries of Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy. Hardik has not played an ODI since the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand in March 2025. He has had a string of setbacks including back spasms during IPL 2026, a quadriceps strain while training at the BCCI Centre of Excellence and further niggles have kept him out of the 50-over side for more than a year. Even when he has returned to training, clearance for a full 10-over bowling workload has been an issue. His absence removes the one player capable of batting in the middle order, bowling at the death or the new ball.
Nitish Kumar Reddy was being groomed as the long-term successor for Hardik. The young seam-bowling all-rounder picked up a left quadriceps injury during the ODIs against Afghanistan. The problem worsened in the third match in Chennai with scans revealing swelling and fibre disruption. He was ruled out of the Ireland and England tours and has been recovering at the CoE. As per reports Gambhir and Gill’s are concerned that there is no ready backup for the middle order pace bowling all-rounder. The side needs players who can occupy the No. 5 to 7 positions, deliver useful overs and maintain fielding standards. Without Hardik’s experience and Nitish’s all-round skills the management is forced to play without a proper pace bowling all-rounder.
