Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has backed Ravindra Jadeja to be in the mix for the 2027 ODI World Cup. The veteran all-rounder was not picked in the squad for the three-match series against Australia.
Jadeja last played for India in ODIs in the 2025 Champions Trophy. The left-arm orthodox spinner scalped five wickets in five matches of the marquee tournament at an impressive economy rate of 4.36.
Jadeja has been in tremendous form in the red-ball version. The left-hander scored 516 runs in five Test matches on the England tour and played a key role in the team’s success.
Furthermore, the southpaw scored an unbeaten 104 against the West Indies in the opening Test at Ahmedabad and also scalped four wickets in the second essay and thus was awarded Player of the Match.
“2027, everyone talks. Do not discount or write off Ravindra Jadeja. He will be in the mix, there is no question about that. He’s still fielding like he is 7-8 years younger than what he is. It is just a privilege to watch him chase a ball on the field. I can understand (why he was not selected) in Australia because there is Axar, and there are only 3 matches, but come South Africa, where you have to play in different venues against different teams, both of them might play,” Ravi Shastri said on the ICC Review.
On the other hand, former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting credited Jadeja for maintaining his fitness and evolving his game.
“I think I need to get some of what he is taking, because he does not seem to be ageing at all. He’s the modern-day Benjamin Button. I know he picked me off a couple of times when he first started. Warney always told us about him from the start, and once again, he was not wrong. It is hard to say that he is the best fielder of all time, but you put him right there in the absolute upper echelon,” the former Australia captain said.
The second ODI between India and Australia will be played at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday.
