Press Trust of India
New Delhi, Dec 18: Back in form with an impressive performance against South Africa in the recently-concluded Test series, Ravindra Jadeja is likely to make a comeback to the limited-overs team for Australia when the national selectors meet here Saturday. India will play five ODIs and three T20 internationals in Australia with the first game starting January 12.
There would be others who would be in contention too. Among them, are fit-again pacer Mohammed Shami, senior-most pacer Ishant Sharma and veteran batsman Murali Vijay, who has started batting in the middle-order in one-dayers for Tamil Nadu and also could be a back-up opener for an out of form Shikhar Dhawan.
Also the selection of Yuvraj Singh also cannot be ruled out. The Punjab left-hander has been in superb form in the domestic Vijay Hazare Trophy for Punjab and has cracked two tons. Keeping in mind, Yuvi’s performance against the Australians, the selectors will definitely be tempted to give him a go.
With 23 wickets in his comeback against the Proteas, along with crucial runs (109 runs), Jadeja should be back in the ODI squad after six months and is likely to beat Axar Patel for the second spinner’s slot with Ravichandran Ashwin being an automatic choice.
The other highlight of the selection meeting could be the selectors’ take on whether to include Mohammed Shami in the squad. Shami, who had undergone knee surgery after World Cup, has just made his comeback to competitive cricket in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He had played two matches with figures of 2/52 in 10 overs against UP and 1/40 in eight overs against Madhya Pradesh.
In case of Shami, it will mainly hinge on whether he is fit to be selected and not about his form, as he is considered to be an asset by both the team management and the selectors.