Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal dropped! India’s big ODI challenges ahead of FIFA World Cup 2027

Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ravindra Jadeja (Image Agency) India’s ODI plans for the 2027 World Cup continue to evolve, with the selectors making several changes to the squads for the upcoming five-match series against New Zealand. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced separate squads for the first three and last two matches on Friday, with the split intended to give Test regulars time to prepare for the two-match red-ball series that begins just four days after the ODIs.The selection raised questions about the future of some established players, with Ravindra Jadeja emerging as the biggest omission from the squad for the first three matches. The veteran all-rounder has struggled for form in the past few months and his exclusion could be a significant setback to his hopes of making the Indian squad for the 2027 World Cup.Axar Patel was brought in as a replacement for Jadeja. The left-arm all-rounder last played an ODI in July against England and will now have the opportunity to strengthen his bid for a place in the squad for the marquee tournament in Africa.Another notable omission is Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was left out of both squads for the New Zealand series. The decision means the opener misses out on the opportunity to partner Rohit Sharma at the top of the order after Shubman Gill leaves the ODI squad to prepare for the Tests. Gill is set to retire after the first two games. The BCCI did not provide an explanation for Jaiswal’s exclusion.Wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel was also left out and replaced by Ishan Kishan despite not getting a chance to play in the first four ODIs against West Indies. Kishan returns to the role along with Shreyas Iyer and Arshdeep Singh after missing the West Indies series for the 2026 Asian Games.There was also a change in the pace department. Auqib Nabi, who featured in the first ODI against West Indies in Guwahati, conceded 84 runs without a wicket and was replaced by Anshul Kamboj in the first three matches against New Zealand. The line-up will be reversed for the final two ODIs, with Kamboj out for the Test preparations and Nabi returning to the squad.The team will undergo further changes after the first three ODIs, with Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Anshul Kamboj and Prasidh Krishna leaving to focus on preparations for the Test series.Tilak Varma will join the team for the final two matches along with Kumar Kushagra and Yash Thakur who are all set to make their ODI debut. Auqib Nabi will also return for the final two matches.Players retiring after first three ODIs: Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Anshul Kamboj and Prasidh Krishna.Players to join for fourth and fifth ODIs: Tilak Varma, Auqib Nabi, Kumar Kushagra and Yash Thakur.Indian ODI squad for the first three ODIs: Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (VC), KL Rahul (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Anshul Kamboj, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Kishna*, Kulhrajsid, Sihraj, Mo. Yadav.Indian ODI squad for fourth and fifth ODIs: Shreyas Iyer (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan (WK, VC), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Kumar Kumar Kusharaj, Thakur Mohamed Yash (K).

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