The selection panel and the new Indian team management have thrown up several surprises in the recently announced squad for the upcoming T20I and ODI series against Sri Lanka.

While several changes were expected in both teams under the new management, the selectors still managed to raise some eyebrows with some of their decisions.

One such decision was not to include Ravindra Jadeja in the ODI squad. The veteran all-rounder retired from T20Is last month after India’s tournament win and was expected to be part of the ODI line-up.

Ravindra Jadeja’s last ODI appearance was at last year’s World Cup. The spin-bowling all-rounder had an excellent campaign in the competition, in which India finished second.

In 11 games, he had taken 16 wickets while maintaining an economy rate of less than 4. However, the selectors decided not to call him up for the next series, much to May’s surprise.

Pragyan Ojha on Ravindra Jadeja’s exclusion:

Former Indian cricketer Pragyan Ojha also shared his opinion on the selectors’ bold decision to not include Ravindra Jadeja in the ODI squad. The former cricketer backed the selectors’ decision and said that the main reason behind Jadeja’s exclusion from the ODI squad is Axar Patel’s good performance in the last few months. Ojha also praised Axar and said that the all-rounder can make an impact at any stage of the game.

“If we talk about the last 6-8 months, the impact that Axar Patel has had has been a big challenge for Ravindra Jadeja. This is the quality that has changed in cricket. Your seniority or whether you have come into the team right now will not determine whether you will play in the team or not.

“I think Axar has made that clear on the field, with the ball, on the pitch. The biggest advantage is that he can play in any situation, especially in the power play, the way he has made an impact,” Pragyan Ojha said in an interview with Sports Tak hosted by Sony Sports Network.

“I think the evolution of cricket is a trend that needs to be followed. Ravindra Jadeja has done a lot of work for the country over the years but if you look at the current situation, Axar has put in his claim and the way it is going, I think it would be very unfair to drop him from the team,” he added.

Meanwhile, the three-match ODI series between India and Sri Lanka will begin on August 2. Before the ODIs, both teams are also scheduled to play a three-match T20I series, which will begin on July 27.