Ravindra Jadeja has carried India’s colours with grit and calm for over a decade. Yet he now sits outside the current ODI setup. The selectors have turned their focus to the 2027 World Cup in Africa. They have mostly spoken about Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Still, Jadeja keeps his name in the conversation with his own story.
The selectors recently dropped him from the ODI squad for the Australia tour. The seasoned all-rounder accepted the decision with composure. During a press conference on the second day of the ongoing Test against the West Indies, he spoke about his wish that still drives him, and that is to lift the ODI World Cup before ending his career.
The all-rounder stated that he did not hear about his omission through the announcement alone. He spoke directly with captain Shubman Gill, the chief selector, and the coach. They explained their reasoning. The exchange, as Jadeja described, gave him a sense of relief, even though it did not erase the disappointment of missing out.
Still, he stays determined. He said the management decides the selections, but he has kept his focus on preparation and consistency. His words show no bitterness, only a silent ambition. That trait has defined much of his career. He has been India’s go-to man in all formats. His desire to play another ODI World Cup feels like unfinished business, not a distant dream.
"See, this is not in my hands. I mean, I want to play the World Cup, of course, but at the end of the day, there’s some thinking from the team management, selectors, coach, and captain — why they didn’t keep me in this series. There must be some reason behind it," Jadeja told reporters at the press conference after the end of the second day's play.
"And they spoke to me — it’s not like I got a surprise when the team was announced, that I’m not there. So that’s a good thing, that the captain, selector, and coach spoke to me about what they were thinking and the reason behind it. So I’m happy about that," Jadeja added.
India’s next white-ball test and Jadeja’s path ahead
India will travel to Australia in October 2025 for a white-ball series. The tour begins with three ODIs before moving to T20Is. Shubman Gill will lead the ODI side. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will both join the squad.
The matches in Perth, Adelaide, and Sydney will give India a stage to test and settle their combinations, keeping in mind the ODI World Cup in 2027. A player of Jadeja’s quality deserves a fair chance to write his final chapter. His hunger remains visible. If he gets the opportunity, he can remind everyone why his name still matters in India’s plans.
