NEW DELHI: Ravindra Jadeja, who serves as India’s vice-captain in the ongoing Test series against West Indies, discussed his exclusion from the ODI squad for the upcoming Australia tour.He mentioned that the team management had communicated with him about the decision. Despite his omission, Jadeja remains committed to performing whenever given a chance. His recent performance included taking three wickets on day two of the second Test in New Delhi, helping restrict West Indies to 140/4 at stumps.The experienced left-arm spin bowling all-rounder has an impressive record in ODIs, with 231 wickets and 2,806 runs in 204 matches.“I don’t have it in my hands. I want to play, but at the end of the day, the team management, selectors, coach, and captain have their own thoughts,” Jadeja told reporters.“Why didn’t I get selected for this series? There must be a reason behind it, and they talked to me. It’s not like they surprised me when I found out that I wasn’t selected. It’s a good thing that the captain, selector, and coach talked to me about the reasons behind it.”After winning the T20 World Cup in 2024 and concluding his T20I career, Jadeja maintains his desire to represent India in major tournaments. This comes after India’s runner-up finish to Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup.“I am happy whenever I get a chance, as I will try to do what I have been doing for so many years. If I get a chance to play in a major tournament like the World Cup, then it will be a good thing for Indian cricket. Everyone’s dream is to win the World Cup. Last time, we missed out on it by a whisker. If we can win this time, then we will fulfill our dreams.”When asked about personal milestones, Jadeja emphasized the importance of team success over individual achievements.“I don’t lie – sometimes I think about it and I feel good for a while. But when it happens, I feel the same and don’t feel anything is new,” he added.“More than my personal milestone, I think about the team’s performance – like is the team winning? Is it an impactful performance from me? My mindset is like this. If I run or take wickets, does it impact the winning of the team or not? That is more important.“If you make runs or pick wickets and the team loses, it doesn’t matter. When you do an impactful performance and the team wins, especially in ICC tournaments, WTC and if we win the finals by doing well as a team, and my performance is good, then I feel satisfied.”Jadeja was appointed vice-captain for the West Indies series while Rishabh Pant recovers from a fractured right foot. As a senior team member, he expressed his willingness to guide younger players and adapt to different situations.“If there is a wicket for batting, then I become a batsman. If there is a wicket for bowling, then I become a bowler – it’s simple. I don’t think about captains and captaincy – that time has gone way too early now,” stated the all-rounder.“Now, as much as possible, what the team needs, I do as per that. Whether it is in batting, like Jaiswal comes and talks to me, or Kuldeep comes and asks about bowling, I tell them what can be possible. and give my opinion to them on anything they ask. I am very happy with whatever I have now.”
