India’s plans for the upcoming third Test against England in Rajkot may have been inadvertently revealed by spinner Kuldeep Yadav, hinting at Ravindra Jadeja’s potential inclusion in the lineup. While Jadeja’s participation is subject to clearance from the BCCI’s medical team, Kuldeep’s comments during the pre-match press conference strongly suggest Jadeja’s availability.
Speaking to the media, Kuldeep indicated, “I think so. Ravindra Jadeja did his routine and had a session yesterday too. He is available.” Jadeja’s return to the XI would be significant for India, particularly in the absence of Virat Kohli and KL Rahul. Notably, Jadeja has been a consistent performer, averaging over 40 with the bat and under 25 with the ball across 53 Test matches since 2016.
The England team also seems to have prepared for Jadeja’s potential return, as evidenced by their practice session facing local left-arm spinners. This proactive approach suggests that the visitors are bracing themselves to counter Jadeja’s threat on his home turf.
Jadeja’s inclusion could potentially result in either Kuldeep or Axar Patel missing out on the playing XI. However, based on Kuldeep’s performance in the second Test in Visakhapatnam, where he claimed four crucial wickets, including a three-fer in the first innings, he is likely to retain his place in the team.
The third Test in Rajkot presents an opportunity for India to gain a lead in the series against England, with the match scheduled to commence on February 15.
