Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra believes the ODI series against the West Indies is going to be crucial for veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. The all-rounder made a comeback to the ODI squad after a long time as Axar Patel was not available for selection.

Patel is part of India’s T20I team for the Asian Games. Chopra noted that Jadeja was not picking wickets in the ODI format when he last played for the team and thus he needs to turn a corner to stay relevant in the side.

Jadeja went wicketless in his quota of 10 overs and conceded 54 runs in the opening ODI on Sunday.

“It will be a big opportunity for Jadeja. You might think why would there be any challenge given where he is in his career as he has a celebrated career. But he is not playing a lot of ODIs. He is not there in any series. Now there is no Axar so he is back. It is important for him. The last time he played, he was not picking wickets. He will have to bowl ten overs and pick wickets if he wants to stay relevant and stay in the race as the World Cup is in South Africa. Only one of Axar or Jadeja will go and right now, Axar is slightly ahead in that race,” Aakash Chopra said in a video on his YouTube channel.

On the other hand, Chopra reckons the ODI series is going to be important for all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy. 

“It will be an important series for Nitish Kumar Reddy as well. As it is ODIs, he might get to bat more at six and a few more overs. It will also be an opportunity for some fast bowlers like Gurnoor Brar, Siraj, and Krishna. I do not see Nabi playing. I don’t think he will make it. There will be no batting at eight but India will have to bite the bullet,” he said.

Reddy bagged six wickets in the recent T20I series against Afghanistan.