If reports are to be believed, then this can be a huge development as India’s premier allrounder Ravindra Jadeja is likely to retire from Test Cricket to prolong his limited-overs career. The 33-year old left-arm spinner is considering this option because of the workload for him in all 3 international formats and IPL.
Notable that he will miss the 3-Test series in South Africa due to an injury in his right forearm. For some reason, he missed out on the second Test against New Zealand in Mumbai. In terms of injury, this hasn’t been a great year. In January he sustained a thumb injury in Sydney so he missed the famous Gabba Test and 4-test series against England at home.
Jadeja’s absence can be a huge setback for India’s chances in South Africa. Noteworthy that he has been India’s first-choice spinner in all conditions. In Pataudi Trophy against England in August-September, he was constantly getting the nod ahead of R Ashwin for which team management faced heavy criticism but they backed him throughout the series given his all-round value in all 3 departments.
He has been instrumental to take India to no.1 ranking in Test Cricket. In his 57-test matches career so far he has picked 232 wickets with an average of 24.84 and also scored 2195 runs with an average of 33.76. Since Jan 2017, his batting average has been 40.81 with some very important cameos at a crucial juncture.
Making his debut way back in 2012, Jadeja was one of the reasons for India’s dominance in Test Cricket, more so at home. With his accurate left-arm spin, he has formed a deadly combination with Ashwin over the years. In the series against England earlier this year at home, Axar Patel had a fine debut series in Jadeja’s absence but even he will miss the South Africa series due to injury.
India will start the 3-Test series from 26th December at Centurion. R Ashwin will most likely get the nod as a first-choice spinner.