Ravindra Jadeja is set for India return. The all-rounder, who has been out of action since the first India-New Zealand Test late November 2021 in Kanpur, will be part of the series against Sri Lanka. It is almost certain that he will be included in the squad for the two-Test series that follows, but Cricbuzz understands that if all goes well, he could well be playing the three Twenty20 Internationals that precede the two-Test series.
According to information obtained by this website, Jadeja, who was undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore till recently, has already reached Lucknow, where the first of the three Twenty20 games will be played, on February 24. He is believed to be undergoing quarantine in a Lucknow hotel. He has been undergoing Coid tests and he could be part of the Twenty20 squad if he returns negative.
Along with Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah is also expected to stage a comeback. Both Jadeja and Bumrah were left out of the on-going white-ball series against West Indies, albeit for different reasons. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had said on January 26 that Bumrah was rested for West Indies series along with Mohammed Shami and Jadeja, it said, was “undergoing his final stage of recovery post his knee injury and will not be available for the ODIs and T20Is (vs West Indies).”
Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah to Return for Sri Lanka Series; Virat Kohli Could Skip T20Is – Reports
Star India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is all set to make a comeback into the national team after being sidelined since the first India-New Zealand Test late last year.The 33-year-old is almost certain to make a comeback in the Test squad and could even be part of the T20 series, according to Cricbuzz.
According to the publication, Jadeja who was undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy has landed in Lucknow, where the first of the three Twenty20 games is scheduled to be played, on February 24. The southpaw is believed to be undergoing quarantine in a hotel so as to be available for the series if picked.
Not just Jadeja, reportedly Jasprit Bumrah could make his comeback this coming series after being rested frmo the ongoing white-ball series against West Indies. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had said on January 26 that Bumrah was rested for West Indies series along with Mohammed Shami and Jadeja, it said, was “undergoing his final stage of recovery post his knee injury and will not be available for the ODIs and T20Is (vs West Indies).”
The squad announcement for the upcoming Sri Lanka series is likely to be made in a day or two, which means the selectors will name India’s Test team skipper who will take over the reins after Virat Kohli stepped down last month. Reports suggest that Rohit Sharma is likely to be given the responsibility to lead Team India in whites as well.
Also, Virat Kohli could be rested for the T20 matches against Sri Lanka according to Cricbuzz but the former India skipper will be back for the Test series, meaning he will play his 100th Test in Mohali if he is picked for the match.
Rohit Sharma may be made Test skipper
More than the return of Jadeja, the curious part of the squad, to be announced in a day or two, is the selection of captain for the Tests. The position has been vacant since Virat Kohli quit after the three-Test away series against South Africa. In all likelihood, Rohit Sharma will be given the position, making him the skipper for all formats.
Meanwhile, there is also a chance that Kohli will be given a break for the Twenty20 series. A message to Kohli did not elicit an immediate reply but multiple sources close to him and the Indian team have revealed to this website that the former skipper could be rested for the three T20Is.
He may, however, return for the Tests, which means his 100th Test could be in Mohali, where the first India-Sri Lanka Test will be played from March 3. If he takes an extended break, his 100th Test could be in Bangalore, the venue of the second and final Test.
