India vs Australia: Ravindra Jadeja reports to NCA after Ranji Trophy game, All-rounder set for fitness test on February 1 ahead of Border Gavaskar Trophy

India vs Australia – IND vs AUS Test Series: Having helped Saurashtra to victory in Chennai, Ravindra Jadeja is now back at the NCA. The All-rounder featured in the Ranji Trophy in what is his first game in over 6 months. Jadeja is named in the India test squad for the Border Gavaskar Trophy. He however will join the team subject to passing a fitness test on February 1. Follow IND vs AUS LIVE Updates on Insidesport.IN

Also Read: IND vs AUS Test: Pat Cummins-led Australia to arrive in India on February 1, set for short camp in Bengaluru before Nagpur Test, Follow LIVE Updates

India vs Australia: Ravindra Jadeja reports to NCA after Ranji Trophy game, All-rounder set for fitness test on February 1 ahead of Border Gavaskar Trophy – Check out

Ravindra Jadeja has reported back to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. The 33-year-old has struggled with injuries and fitness issues, only making a return in the Ranji Trophy earlier this week. On his return, Jadeja got a 7-wicket haul to seal Saurashtra’s win over hosts Tamil Nadu.

The left-armer is a crucial cog in India’s set up, contributing effectively with both bat and ball. While Rohit Sharma is desperate to have the star all-rounder back, Jadeja still has to pass the fitness test. He himself admitted that he was about 80% fit during the Ranji Trophy game, even missing some sessions to manage his workload.

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Not convinced with Jadeja’s fitness, BCCI has asked for a report. His fate in the series will be decided after the apex body receives the report. If he clears the fitness assessment, he will join the a pre-series camp in Nagpur on Feb 2. The first match will start on February 9 in Nagpur.

India vs Australia: Ravindra Jadeja reports to NCA after Ranji Trophy game, All-rounder set for fitness test on February 1 ahead of Border Gavaskar Trophy – Check out

“He did pass the initial fitness test. But the NCA still believes he is not yet at 100%. Considering his history of serious injuries, the selectors did not want to rush a return. The Australia series will be far more important than the NewZealand series. That is why he was not considered for the white-ball series,” a senior BCCI official told InsideSport.

Jadeja had a productive return to action, picking up a 7-wicket haul in Ranji Trophy.

Jadeja himself is upbeat about making a comeback. He said it was good to pick up a five-wicket haul and that he was “feeling very good” playing after such a long time.

To a question, if he felt he was there in terms of fitness, Jadeja said, “Yes, I am almost there…it is just a matter of little bit of confidence. Luckily I bowled enough overs in the match, like almost 37 overs in the game (41 — 24 in the first innings and 17.1 in the second).”

Ravindra Jadeja FITNESS: All you need to know about all-rounder’s struggle

Jadeja returned from UAE during the Asia Cup 2022 with a knee injury.
He suffered the injury on West Indies tour. However, it wasn’t serious at that time.
But an off-day exercise jarred his knee further and he had to undergo immediate surgery in Mumbai.
The surgery ruled him out of T20 World Cup.
While he was supposed to be available for the Bangladesh tour, his recovery is taking longer than usual.
After being named for the Bangladesh series, he was removed and asked to report to the NCA.
He underwent further rehab and rest.
After campaigning in the Gujarat elections for wife Rivaba Jadeja, he reported back to the NCA.
He did clear the fitness test initially but he was still not at his 100% fitness.
Hence, the selectors asked him to play in the Ranji Trophy.
He bagged 8 wickets including a 7-fer and scored 15.
After the match, he is back at the NCA for a fitness assessment.
And if he clears the fitness test, he will join India’s preparatory camp from February 2 in Nagpur.

India vs Australia: Ravindra Jadeja reports to NCA after Ranji Trophy game, All-rounder set for fitness test on February 1 ahead of Border Gavaskar Trophy – Check out

The four-match Test series for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is also part of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2021-23. Jasprit Bumrah missing the series is a big blow for India as India must win the series 2-0 or 3-1 to qualify for the WTC Final in June. The first Test of the series begins on February 9 in Nagpur. The last two Tests are scheduled to be held across the first two weeks of March.

India squad Australia Series: Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KS Bharat (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), R. Ashwin, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Suryakumar Yadav.

Australia tour of India, 2023 – Test series
Sr. No.	Date	Match	Venue
1	9^th – 13^th February	1^st Test	Nagpur
2	17^th – 21^st February	2^nd Test	Delhi
3	1^st– 5^th March	3^rd Test	Dharamsala
4	9^th – 13^th March	4^th Test