IND vs NZ 2026: 'Can become predictable' - Ravindra Jadeja advised to evolve his ODI gameplay

Experienced Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane has seconded Zaheer Khan's sentiments revolving around Ravindra Jadeja's ineffectiveness with the ball across the matches played in the three-match ODI series between India and New Zealand. The former India pacer had criticised Jadeja's containing nature while bowling in the middle overs.

Rahane stressed the importance of possessing variations as a spin bowler in One-Day Internationals. The cricketer-cum-commentator also compared Axar Patel's quality of mixing it up with the ball and with his angles of bowling to Jadeja's rather one-dimensional style of operating while bowling in the longer white-ball format.

"In ODIs, you have to have variations. Though Jadeja is a proven performer across conditions, he bowls with a similar pace and can become predictable in ODIs. With one fielder up, it becomes really easy for the batter, and particularly if a guy bowls at a similar speed. With Axar, he has variations where he changes speed and use angles at the crease really well. There is good competition, and I am sure Jadeja understands, as he knows his game really well," shared Rahane on Cricbuzz Live.

Rahane concluded speaking on the topic by noting that Jadeja will have to devise other plans while bowling in ODIs on a pitch which is not a spin-conducive deck to be more threatening than usual. 

"Jadeja likes to keep his game simple with the ball. But you have to evolve with the game based on conditions. On a turner, he's lethal. But on a normal wicket, he'll have to adjust and come up with different plans, using angles better," he added.

Jadeja did not manage to pick up a single wicket in the three ODIs India played against the Kiwis. He ended up with figures of 0/56 in nine overs (Vadodara), 0/44 in eight overs, and 0/41 in six overs (Indore). The Kiwis were able to navigate his left arm with relative ease. Having retired from T20Is in 2024 itself, Jadeja is expected to next feature for India after the T20I series and the T20 World Cup.