ICC Champions Trophy 2025: How justified is Ravindra Jadeja's selection in the India squad?

Former India cricketer Subramaniam Badrinath expressed his surprise at the inclusion of Ravindra Jadeja in India’s provisional squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025. Jadeja, along with Washington Sundar and Axar Patel, is one of the three spin-bowling all-rounders picked in the squad. However, Badrinath raised concerns over Jadeja’s ability to find a place in India’s playing XI during the tournament. He believes that the competition among the spinners and all-rounders in the squad could make it difficult for the seasoned left-arm spinner to secure a spot in the starting lineup.

Jadeja's last appearance in an ODI was during the 2023 World Cup final against Australia, where he played a crucial role in India's loss. Notably, Jadeja was left out of the ODI squad for the series against Sri Lanka in August 2024, with Axar and Sundar being preferred over him in the playing XI. This absence raised questions about his role in India's limited-overs setup. Despite this, Jadeja has been recalled to the squad ahead of the ODI series against England and the Champions Trophy. With both Axar and Sundar in fine form and offering more flexibility in the all-rounder role, Jadeja will face stiff competition to secure his place in the playing XI. This makes his selection a point of debate, given the team’s balance and strategy heading into the high-stakes Champions Trophy.

"There are a few spots which are a little bit tricky. I am honestly surprised that Ravindra Jadeja is in the squad. I didn't expect him to be in the squad because there is very little space for him in the XI. So why would you actually take a player in the squad who might not feature in the actual playing XI? So that is a little bit tricky," said Subramaniam Badrinath in a recent interview. 

Axar Patel initially started his international career as an understudy to Ravindra Jadeja, with the Gujarat all-rounder offering similar skill sets to his senior counterpart. While Axar's bowling was comparable to Jadeja’s, he faced challenges in the batting department, where Jadeja had a clear edge. However, over the years, Axar has made significant strides with the bat. His technical improvements and adaptability have allowed him to contribute effectively in various positions within India’s batting order.

Axar's consistent development in batting has made him a valuable asset for the Indian team, particularly in pressure situations. His ability to accelerate the innings, especially in the middle and lower order, has earned him key roles in several matches. Whether as a finisher or someone who can stabilize the innings, Axar has become more than just a bowler who can bat.

With his all-round capabilities continuing to evolve, Axar has firmly established himself as one of India’s most dependable players in limited-overs formats. His rise in both batting and bowling has added further depth to India's squad, making his competition with Jadeja for a place in the playing XI even more intriguing as the Champions Trophy 2025 approaches.