Bahutule: Ravindra Jadeja remains in contention for 2027 ODI World Cup
India bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule said on the eve of the second ODI against West Indies that Ravindra Jadeja remains in contention for the 2027 ODI World Cup after returning to the side in the series opener in Thiruvananthapuram on September 27.
The 37-year-old had missed India’s previous ODI assignments against Afghanistan and England before rejoining the XI for the first match of the West Indies series. His return with the ball in Thiruvananthapuram yielded 10 overs for 54 runs without a wicket, and he did not bat as India chased 296 in 41.4 overs.
Bahutule said the team will continue to assess spin options with Axar Patel also in the mix: “With Axar also being around, the tournaments or series which we play in the coming time, we will be able to assess performances or who can be of utility,” Bahutule said on the eve of the second ODI against West Indies. He added that Jadeja’s batting and experience keep him under consideration: “But, Jaddu with his batting skills, (and) the experience he gets in, is definitely doing well and I am sure he will be looked into in the coming time.”
Competition for spin places includes Axar, Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar, with Axar and Washington currently away on Asian Games duty — a situation that the coaching staff said provides Jadeja additional opportunity to press his case. In the series opener Kuldeep produced the chief bowling performance, returning 10-1-40-4 as India restricted West Indies to 295 for seven; Jadeja finished wicketless.
India’s chase featured centuries from Shubman Gill (110) and Virat Kohli, who finished an unbeaten 139, and the side completed an eight-wicket win. Those batting contributions meant Jadeja was not required to bat in the successful chase.
Bahutule pointed to Jadeja’s recent Test form in Sri Lanka as further evidence of the all-rounder’s ongoing value, noting he took eight wickets in the two-Test series and offering this assessment: “I thought (in) the Test matches he bowled really well in Sri Lanka, as well as now with the ODIs. It is just the first game after a long period, but he has done well.” He also reiterated Jadeja’s dual role and recent improvement with the ball: “For me, he has always been a utility player. He is somebody who can contribute with the bat as well as with the ball. He has definitely improved as a bowler over the last six months.”
India will use the upcoming assignments to compare their spin options and determine which combination best suits the conditions they expect to face at the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, with Jadeja’s all-round utility to be weighed alongside performances in the matches leading up to the tournament.
