🔔 Stay Updated!

Get instant alerts on breaking news, top stories, and updates from News EiSamay.

No Jadeja, no Axar for Afghanistan series : Is this India’s future plan?

India’s Afghanistan squad hints at a long-term World Cup 2027 strategy, with selectors testing new all-round options beyond Jadeja and Axar.

By Aritra Chatterjee

May 19, 2026 23:00 IST

BCCI selectors have chosen their first team after the successful T20 World Cup campaign, and they came with big shocks, from dropping Rishabh Pant from the ODI team to eliminating him from the vice-captaincy. Big calls have been taken. They have also decided to give rest to Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja and picked Manav Suthar for the test and Harsh Dubey for both formats. They have also picked Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy as an extra all-rounder in the team.

Ajit Agarkar, the chief selector of the Indian cricket team, talked about the omission of both Jadeja and Axar Patel and said, “I think Jadeja's just been rested for this test. I think we just want to try and give him the opportunity; he's aware of it, that's why he's not in the team, he remains a very integral part of the test team. So, I think we sort of didn't mention that at the start; it's just this test that he's not part of. “

He has mentioned the World Cup 2027 planning and said, “With regards to one-day cricket, again, what with 15-16 months left to that World Cup, somewhere around there we want to obviously try and assess what our options are, particularly keeping in mind the conditions in South Africa and give a little bit of exposure to some of the newer guys.”

Also Read । Who are Gurnoor Brar and Harsh Dubey? India invests in new domestic faces

With the 2027 world cup is scheduled to happen in South Africa, India will need more proper plans, and Ajit Agarkar’s comment on the new players has sparked a debate online.

What can be the future of Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel?

Considering that the World Cup will take place in conditions where spinners are unlikely to have an advantage, it's important to note that South Africa typically features bouncy, green, and hard tracks. In such environments, any team would prefer to have an additional batter for security. If that batter is also capable of bowling pace, they will be the top choice. Teams like South Africa, England, and Australia have players who can fulfil this dual role effectively. Examples include Corbin Bosch, Jamie Overton, and Marcus Stoinis. As a result, it won't be beneficial for any team to rely on more than three spinners.

Articles you may like: