While confirming that Ravindra Jadeja does have a niggle, India stand-in captain Shikhar Dhawan delivered a big update on the all-rounder’s availability for the first ODI against West Indies. The 3 ODIs will be played at Queen’s Park Oval on July 22, 24 and 27.
Going into the first ODI against West Indies, there are doubts over Ravindra Jadeja’s availability as he is suffering from a knee issue. As per reports, he has a niggle on his knee and could be ruled out of the complete ODI series. The star all-rounder though will feature in the five-match T20I series, starting on July 29.
While the BCCI hasn’t delivered an official update on Jadeja’s availability, India captain Shikhar Dhawan has provided an update. Speaking on eve of the fixture, Dhawan confirmed that Jadeja does have a niggle but didn’t confirm if he is fit or not.
“Right now, he has a bit of a niggle so we don’t know whether he will be ready or not for the first ODI. Other than that, [Mohammed] Siraj is there, Prasidh [Krishna] is there, and we have got amazing fast bowling,” he said.
Should Jadeja sit out, it will be a big blow for the Men in Blue as he is the most senior member of the team. He is the only permanent all-rounder in the ODI squad and in his absence, Axar Patel is likely to make his comeback in the playing XI.
Jadeja was named Dhawan’s deputy for the series and in his absence, India will also have a new vice-captain. Apart from him, Yuzvendra Chahal is another senior member and could be given the job.
The opening ODI of the series will be played at Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad. The venue will host the next two ODIs on July 24 and 27. After the ODI series, the two teams will square off in 5 T20Is on July 29, August 1, 2, 6 and 7. The last two T20Is of the series will be played in USA. Barring Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, other first-choice players will return for the T20I series.
