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India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja missed out on the recently concluded Test series against New Zealand due to an injury. He was earlier also not part of the T20I series and hasn't played a game after the T20 World Cup. Although it was expected that Jadeja will make a comeback in the South Africa series, the 33-year-old was ruled out of the complete tour set to begin later this month. It was a case of swelling on his forearm which had apparently forced Jadeja out of the New Zealand Tests.
However, the reason for his omission from the South Africa Tests is the knee injury which, it is said, is of a serious nature. Jadeja might even have to go for a surgery which will rule him out for at least four to six months. And now a report carried by Dainik Jagran claims that Jadeja might even announce retirement from Test cricket to prolong his limited-overs career.
Ravichandran Ashwin to be the preferred spinner in South Africa with Jadeja, Axar injured
The Chennai Super Kings star has been playing all three formats of the game along with franchise cricket which has taken a toll on his body. Going forward, Jadeja will have to be more selective of the formats or the assignments he takes up based on the exertion his body can withstand.
In absence of Jadeja and even Axar Patel who too has been injured, Ravichandran Ashwin is almost certain of getting a place in the XI. Earlier, Ashwin was not selected in even one of the four-Test matches during the series against England. What works in Jadeja's favour that apart from bowling, he can come in handy with the bat and even turn the match on its head with his brilliance on the field.
Although Ashwin might pip Jadeja in terms of abilities as a spinner is concerned, it is the other two areas where he gets fewer points than Jadeja. Nonetheless, Ashwin is a capable batter himself and has five Test hundreds to his credit. A similar outing with the bat against South Africa means India will be in with a very good chance to beat South Africa in the latter's backyard for the first time ever in Test matches.