Jadeja underwent a knee surgery a week back and is in the recovery phase, posting messages on social media and keeping his fans updated on his progress.
Jadeja had injured his right knee and was ruled out of the 2022 Asia Cup after playing the first two games in the continental event. The 33-year-old had also missed India’s tour of the West Indies in July owing to an injury.
One step at a time???? https://t.co/WBgm4culoI
— Ravindrasinh jadeja (@imjadeja) 1663163806000
“It is a challenge (for India). They had fitted him (Jadeja) nicely in that No. 5 role. He has been batting really well, and him and Hardik (Pandya) being in that top six — two guys who can give that all-round options — gave India much more flexibility in that batting order,” JayawardenE said on ‘The ICC Review’ on Saturday.
The former Sri Lanka captain said Jadeja’s absence will be “a massive loss” to one of the early tournament favourites.
“It is a tough one for them, and probably a concern not having that left-hander. They’ve switched to leaving out DK (Dinesh Karthik) and bringing in Rishabh (Pant) in that role, batting at No. 5 or 4. Those are the things they have to settle going into the World Cup. But not having Jadeja, the form that he was in… it will be a massive loss for them,” opined Jayawardene.
Jayawardene, who became the head coach of Mumbai Indians in 2017 and under whom MI won three IPL titles, was recently elevated to the role of MI’s Global Head of Performance and handed over the coaching reins to South African Mark Boucher.
Jayawardene felt that despite the Jadeja blow, India still have much to look forward given that their star batter Virat Kohli is regaining form.
The 33-year-old had taken a month-long break from cricket to focus on his mental health and returned in the Asia Cup, scoring a century.
Kohli broke his century drought that spanned 1,020 days, scoring his 71st international hundred when he smashed an unbeaten 122 against Afghanistan. He finished as the second highest run-getter in the tournament with 276 runs with a strike rate of 147.59.
“He (Kohli) was there and thereabouts pretty much (in the Asia Cup),” said Jayawardene. “He just didn’t have that big score under his belt to get that confidence, especially in white-ball cricket, which is always going to happen.
“There were a few injury concerns in the last 12 months. He had little niggles and they rested him, and India kept on giving people rest, with the workload that they had. So not having that consistent run also makes it tough.
“In the Asia Cup he batted well, showed what he is capable of, especially in that batting position. Going forward for India, having that stability in that line-up and having confidence that a guy like Virat is going to be a factor, is going to be a concern for the opposition as well.
“It’s good to see him batting like that. We need all these brilliant players to be at their best form in a World Cup, and that’s what the World Cup deserves as well. Everyone going at each other at that level. It will be a fascinating World Cup in Australia,” said Jayawardene.
Thank you for all the love and support throughout the Asia Cup campaign. We will get better and come back stronger.… https://t.co/6ewjmimwaj
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) 1662695011000
The Sri Lankan added that India would be further bolstered by the return to fitness of pacer Jasprit Bumrah.
“For me the way they played, the skills, the talent, everything is there. They just need a little bit of confidence with the bat, with the ball and in the field,” said Jayawardena.
“These are the little things that India will want to improve. It’s just the confidence of bowlers being able to get wickets and then executing skills.
“Obviously, not having Jasprit (in the Asia Cup) was also a factor. He fills a big gap for them with the new ball and at the back end. That will settle them as well when he is back in Australia.
“World Cups are about momentum, World Cups are about playing your best cricket at the right time. So as long as they lift their game up to that level, I think India has the quality of players who can do that.”
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