Ravindra Jadeja’s participation in the T20 World Cup next month is under a cloud after the all-rounder was ruled out of Asia Cup with an injury to his right knee.
Sources told The Telegraph that Jadeja will consult a specialist in Mumbai before a final call is taken on his treatment and availability.
“Knee injuries often turn out to be more serious than they are presumed. Since it’s a recurring problem, the Board is not going to take any chances. At this moment nothing is being ruled out,” the source maintained.
An injury in the same knee had forced Jadeja to miss the ODI leg of India’s tour of the West Indies in July.
Head coach Rahul Dravid said in Dubai that Jadeja will undergo rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore.
“The World Cup is a fair way away so we don’t want to jump to any conclusions and rule him out or rule him in. We’ll see how it goes,” Dravid said.
However, there’s good news from the NCA where Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel have been undergoing their rehabilitation. It is understood that both pacers have already started bowling this week and are expected to be fit for the World Cup.
“Both Bumrah and Harshal have started bowling at the NCA. Unless there’s any recurrence of their injuries, it is only a matter of time before they attain match fitness,” the source said.
The national selectors will sit down before September 16 to decide on the squad for the showpiece event in Australia and the duo are set to be included in the 15-member squad.
While Bumrah was not considered for the Asia Cup because of back spasms, Harshal was nursing a rib injury.
They are also expected to play in the T20I home series against Australia and South Africa. Bumrah last played in the ODI series in England and was rested for the limited-overs tour of West Indies and Zimbabwe.
Harshal has emerged as a vital cog in the T20 set-up since the last World Cup. In 2022, he has picked up 19 wickets in 15 T20Is at an economy of 8.76.
Easwaran ton after Mukesh’s five-for
The ongoing first four-day game between India A and New Zealand A is turning out to be quite a good one for Bengal cricketers.
After pacer Mukesh Kumar took a five-for in his maiden India A appearance, opener Easwaran hit a solid 132 that laid the foundation for the home team, who were 492 for 4 at stumps on the third and penultimate day of the game.
Easwaran added 45 more to his overnight score of 87, finishing with a knock that comprised 13 fours and a maximum. Importantly, he got those runs at a strike rate close to 70 (68.04 to be precise), which may help him in proving a point to the selectors.
Following Easwaran’s dismissal, Rajat Patidar (170 batting) and young Tilak Varma (82 batting) have stitched 167 runs so far for the fifth wicket.