IND vs AFG 2026: Ajit Agarkar provides update on dropping Ravindra Jadeja from both squads

The Indian men’s selection committee met in Guwahati to finalise the squads for the one-off Test and three-match ODI series against Afghanistan. Notably, veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was excluded from both squads.

Jadeja, who has represented India in 89 Tests and 210 ODIs, is currently playing for Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League 2026 season after joining the franchise from Chennai Super Kings in a trade deal last year. He was part of India’s most recent Test XI against South Africa in November 2025 and also featured in the ODI series against New Zealand national cricket team earlier this year.

Apart from Jadeja, fellow all-rounder Axar Patel, who provides a similar skill set, was also left out of both squads. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar explained that Jadeja had been rested from the Test side, while the management wants to evaluate other options ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.

“With regard to one-day cricket, we have 15-16 months left to that World Cup. Somewhere around there, we want to obviously try and assess what our options are, particularly keeping in mind the conditions in South Africa and give a little bit of exposure to some of the newer guys. We know what Ravindra Jadeja or Axar Patel can do. This is the time we try and give some opportunity to some of the other guys,” Agarkar told reporters.

Agarkar also spoke about Harsh Dubey, who earned a place in both the Test and ODI squads against Afghanistan. Dubey is viewed as a like-for-like replacement for Jadeja and Axar due to his all-round abilities. Agarkar said the youngster fits the team’s requirements perfectly and expressed hope that he would get the opportunity to showcase his skills and prove what he can bring to the side at the international level.

“You want guys who can contribute with the bat down the order but also have the necessary skill to be a front-line spin or a front-line seam bowler. We think he certainly fits the bill. We are hopeful that when he gets that opportunity, he shows what he can do. We have seen enough over the last couple of years, maybe a little bit more. He seems to have the necessary skill to succeed at this level,” Agarkar said.