As the cricketing world turns its gaze towards the upcoming 3rd Test in the India-England series, fans received encouraging news from the Indian camp. Star allrounder Ravindra Jadeja offered a glimpse into his recovery progress, bringing relief to supporters eager for his return to the pitch. On Monday, February 12, Jadeja utilized his Instagram account to build anticipation, hinting at his readiness with a caption “Looking good in this attire” accompanied by a photo from what appeared to be a training session.
The seasoned southpaw had grappled with a hamstring injury that he sustained on the fourth day of the series-opening Test. The incident unfolded as Jadeja got run out by England’s captain Ben Stokes, an event that saw him leave the field in discernible discomfort. This injury setback ruled him out of the second Test, alongside fellow teammate KL Rahul, who experienced a right quadriceps strain.
Both players sought rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, Karnataka, where they worked with the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) medical panel. Their efforts paid off as they successfully navigated the road to recovery, which led to their inclusion in the squad for the remaining three Tests.
With the 3rd Test poised to begin at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot, Jadeja’s potential participation is highly anticipated, given that it is his home ground. However, concerns over KL Rahul’s fitness have prompted a cautious approach from the team management, resulting in a decision to rest him for the upcoming match.
The void left by Rahul has opened doors for Karnataka’s burgeoning 23-year-old talent, Devdutt Padikkal. His selection serves as a testament to his dominant form in domestic cricket, highlighted by his performances for India A against the England Lions and his contributions in the current Ranji Trophy for Karnataka.
The Indian squad on paper looks robust with the return of Jadeja and features a blend of seasoned campaigners and bright young talent. Spearheaded by skipper Rohit Sharma and his deputy Jasprit Bumrah, the lineup includes promising bats like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Sarfaraz Khan. The team’s spin department seems formidable with Jadeja rejoining R Ashwin and Axar Patel, and the pace battery is expected to rely on the likes of Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, and Akash Deep. The inclusion of Padikkal enriches the batting reserves displaying the depth in India’s bench strength.
Here is the updated Indian squad for the third Test:
Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (wk), KS Bharat (wk), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep, Devdutt Padikkal.
Off the field, the narrative around Jadeja has recently included refuting allegations aimed at sullying his wife’s reputation. The discourse around Indian cricket also continues as some analysts draw parallels between England’s current on-field prowess and the last time India faced a home series defeat.
With the stage set for a high-stakes engagement in Rajkot, India looks to consolidate its position in the series bolstered by the return of their ace allrounder. Jadeja’s fitness update emerges as a storyline that not only spells good news for the Indian outfit but also for cricket fans worldwide who have missed his dynamic presence in the game. As the count-down to the third Test begins, all eyes will be on the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium to witness whether India can reinforce its dominance at home or if England can continue to challenge the hosts on their own turf.
