Photo via India Today

Ravindra Jadeja still in race for ODI World Cup, affirms India bowling coach

India's spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule has expressed confidence in veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, indicating that he remains a strong candidate for the squad leading into the 2027 ODI World Cup. During the recent series opener against the West Indies, the 37-year-old made his return to the fifty-over playing eleven after sitting out prior fixtures against England and Afghanistan.

Operating through his full allotment of ten overs, he did not claim a wicket while conceding 54 runs, and he was not required with the bat as the squad successfully chased a target of 296 with more than eight overs to spare.

Bahutule noted that Jadeja brings valuable lower-order batting depth and veteran experience, while the team evaluates multiple spin options including Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Washington Sundar. Kuldeep led the bowling effort in that opening fixture by securing four wickets for 40 runs, while run-scoring contributions from Shubman Gill, who made 110, and Virat Kohli, who finished unbeaten on 139, anchored the comfortable eight-wicket victory.

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I watched Ajay Jadeja return to Gurcharan Singh, and saw what a Guru means