Ravindra Jadeja joins the Indian team ahead of the 1st ODI

Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was initially rested for the first three ODIs of the Australia series as the team management wished to continue with the same bunch of bowlers who made them proud on the tour of Sri Lanka. But at the very last moment, all-rounder Axar Patel hurt his ankle during a practise session on Friday and has thus been ruled out of action.

The Indian selectors named Jadeja as a replacement for the left-arm spinner on the eve of the Chennai ODI. Axar sprained his left ankle and hobbled his way to the team physio who strapped him up. But as it turns out he will have to rest before being match fit again and the BCCI decided to bring a like for like player in the team for the first three matches.

“The All-India Senior Selection Committee on Tuesday named Ravindra Jadeja as the replacement for Axar Patel in the team for the first three ODIs in the five-match series against Australia starting tomorrow i.e. September 17, 2017 in MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk in Chennai. Axar sprained his left ankle during a practice session and has been advised rest. The BCCI medical team is monitoring his recovery.” a BCCI media release stated.

The Indian team will certainly field two spinners in the XI and it is less likely that the two wrist spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav will be preferred since a left-arm spinner always adds variety to the bowling. Jadeja has probably joined the team already and in that case, he will start in the XI tomorrow.

Indian team for first three ODIs against Australia:

Virat Kohli (C), Rohit Sharma (vice-captain), KL Rahul, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Ajinkya Rahane, MS Dhoni (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami.