The Indian cricket team is gearing up to play the second ODI match against Afghanistan on Wednesday. The match is set to be played at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, with the hosts leading the series 1-0. Veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been rested for the series, along with Axar Patel, as the Indian selectors wanted to try new options.
This move was made, considering the 2027 ODI World Cup that is to be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. Former Indian batter Kris Srikkanth stated that writing off Jadeja will be foolish as the 37-year-old could play a huge role for the national side during the campaign.
Taking to his YouTube channel, the 66-year-old said, “He (Jadeja) is a brilliant cricketer and cannot be written off. Nitish Reddy is a developing player, and once Hardik is back, it will be the two players as a seam bowling all-rounder, with Ravindra Jadeja taking the other spot. With that being said, the veteran player must also perform well; despite not being at his peak right now, it will be foolish to write him off.”
Veteran cricketer from Saurashtra has played 210 ODI games for India, scoring 2905 runs with the bat. The former Chennai Super Kings star has hit 13 fifties with an average of 32 and a strike-rate of 85. The player has also picked 232 wickets with the ball, with two fifers. His last ODI game was against New Zealand earlier this year in Indore, going wicketless and scoring 12 runs.
Kris Srikkanth backs Rohit Sharma to be picked for 2027 WC
Srikkanth has backed former Indian skipper Rohit Sharma to be included in the squad for the 2027 showpiece event as well. Rohit was out for 16 in the first ODI against Afghanistan in Dharamsala on Saturday. The veteran batter was run out after miscommunication with skipper Shubman Gill.
1983 World Cup winner said, “If Rohit keeps scoring runs, then what’s the harm in picking him? He looks fit and is timing the ball well, and one cannot jump to conclusions so soon about his form. We can only get to know where he stands in early 2027 when the final 20 players will be shortlisted for the World Cup.”