Pujara questions Jadeja’s ODI future as Nayar names backup role

Cheteshwar Pujara said Ravindra Jadeja’s omission from India’s New Zealand ODI squad may signal a reduced role in the format, while former assistant coach Abhishek Nayar described Jadeja as the backup if first-choice all-rounder Axar Patel is unavailable before the 2027 World Cup. Pujara said he believes Jadeja may not be selected regularly for one-day internationals because Axar has become India’s main spin-bowling all-rounder and is receiving more opportunities. He speculated that team management may have told Jadeja to focus on Test cricket, but did not present that communication as confirmed. Nayar said Jadeja would be the first name considered if Axar were injured ahead of the World Cup. He characterized Jadeja as an insurance option rather than a regular choice, adding that India had limited depth behind Axar in the all-rounder role. The comments distinguish Jadeja’s possible place in the squad from his standing in the current selection order. Nayar’s assessment leaves open a route back into the ODI team through an injury to Axar, while Pujara questioned whether Jadeja would otherwise feature regularly. Neither comment establishes a final decision by India’s selectors...