Australia vs India: Ravindra Jadeja unlikely to play the first Test in Adelaide

India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is likely to get ruled out of the first of the four-match Test series. He struggled with a hamstring injury while batting in the first T20I in Canberra last week and then got hit on the helmet as well which ruled him out of the game. He felt dizzy after the end of India’s innings and the visitors fielded the concussion substitute in Yuzvendra Chahal in the second innings.

Jadeja probably will be out of action for at least three weeks now to recover from concussion and may take more time if his hamstring injury is more serious. According to the ICC protocols, after any kind of head injury, a player has to rest for a week and a half which rules the 32-year old from the day-night warm-up game.

A BCCI source also reckons that even if Ravindra Jadeja recovers from concussion after 10 days, the team management might not take the risk of playing him in the game without much red-ball practice. “As per ICC’s concussion protocols, after any head injury, a player needs to be rested for 7 to 10 days, which effectively rules Jadeja out of the three-day day/night warm-up game at the SCG from December 11.

“Therefore, it is next to impossible that the Indian team management would field Jadeja, without any warm-up game time ahead of the opening Test,” the BCCI source was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

Hamstring tear might keep Ravindra Jadeja out of 2nd Test too

Rather more than concussion, the management is worried about Ravindra Jadeja’s hamstring injury. If it turns out to be a hamstring tear, then the all-rounder could even get ruled out of Boxing Day Test as well. Jadeja has been a regular feature of India’s Test line-up away from home thanks to his batting credentials and his absence will definitely make the visitors’ batting look thin.

However, Ravi Ashwin is a decent operator with the willow and will play the first Test it seems. Playing with the red ball in the first warm-up game, the off-spinner bowled well picking up two wickets. He will be keen on continuing in the same vein in day-night warm-up set to commence on December 11.