Ravindra Jadeja might miss India's ODI series against West Indies, KL Rahul doubtful for T20Is: Reports
India's vice-captain for the ODI series against West Indies, Ravindra Jadeja, is understood to be doubtful for the three games as he is reportedly nursing a niggle in his left knee.
Reports from Cricbuzz on Thursday suggested that the 33-year-old might be advised to take a complete break from the ODIs to avoid aggravating the niggle. The medical team is set to further examine the extent of the injury.
With three ODIs to be played from July 22-27, this seems to be a sensible decision to ensure that Jadeja is fit for the five-match T20I series to follow.
JUST IN : Ravindra Jadeja could be rested for the ODI series to manage the knee injury.
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Jadeja's absence will further weaken the squad as many senior players, including Hardik Pandya, have been rested for this series. This could mean that India might be without both all-rounders who were a part of the victorious team in the ODI series against England.
Selectors might not name a deputy to Dhawan on such short notice. Instead, players like Shardul Thakur and Yuzvendra Chahal could be a part of the leadership group if coach Rahul Dravid and the team management turn to them to step up.
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The Men in Blue have been dealt an even bigger blow as star opener KL Rahul is unlikely to be fit for the T20Is against West Indies after testing positive for COVID-19. The news was confirmed by BCCI president Sourav Ganguly on Thursday.
The 30-year-old has been an important part of the T20I side, but has been plagued with injuries over the past few months. A groin injury kept Rahul out of the T20Is against South Africa and the entire tour of England.
His groin surgery in Germany was a success, after which he underwent some high-octane training at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). It was an indication that he would be fit in time for the West Indies T20Is.
Indian vice-captain KL Rahul addressing the candidates attending the Level 3 coaching at NCA. https://t.co/n1nVj7qyxV
He was to have a fitness test on Friday, but will now miss that and probably the chance to feature in the T20Is beginning from July 29. This is yet another hurdle en route to him making India's T20 World Cup squad.
India’s ODI squad: Shikhar Dhawan (captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Deepak Hooda, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Ravindra Jadeja (vice-captain), Shardul Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Avesh Khan, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh.