Ravindra Jadeja omitted from India’s XI for third ODI against West Indies in Mullanpur

Ravindra Jadeja has been left out of India’s playing XI for the third and final One-Day International against the West Indies in Mullanpur on Saturday. There has been no official reason provided for his omission.

India have already won the first two ODIs of the series and can complete a 3-0 whitewash in the finale. Both opening games were high-scoring, with India successfully chasing totals of 296 and 406 as Shubman Gill and the top order played major roles. The hosts’ XI for the third match includes Mohammed Siraj and hands an ODI debut to Anshul Kamboj, who was added as Prasidh Krishna’s replacement.

Jadeja featured in both earlier matches against the West Indies and picked up two wickets in those games, but he was left out of the final XI. There is no official reason for his omission, but his recent ODI form and his role in the team could be the reasons behind the decision.

Before the third match, Jadeja had taken only three wickets in his previous eight ODI appearances. Since the 2023 World Cup he has taken 14 wickets in 15 ODI innings as a left-arm orthodox spinner, while Axar has taken 21 wickets in 19 innings over the same period.

Jadeja has played 212 ODIs for India. Spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule described him as a "utility player" and said that he has improved as a bowler.

With the bat, Jadeja has scored 149 runs in 10 ODI innings since the 2023 World Cup, including the winning hit in the 2025 Champions Trophy final. His absence in this match does not represent a final decision on his place in the side, and the team remains in the process of assessing Jadeja and other options ahead of the 2027 World Cup.

India will seek to complete a series whitewash when they play the third and final ODI in Mullanpur on Saturday; a victory would give them a 3-0 series result.