1. News
  2. Sports
  3. Cricket
  4. 'Can't just be a containing bowler': Zaheer Khan, Ajinkya Rahane question Ravindra Jadeja's utility in ODIs

Jadeja went wicketless in the recent series against New Zealand and didn't bowl his full quota of 10 overs in either of the games.

By: Sports Desk January 18, 2026 07:26 PM IST

clock_logo 2 min read

AP)Ravindra Jadeja in action during third India vs New Zealand ODI in Indore. (PHOTO: AP)

Former Indian cricketers Zaheer Khan and Ajinkya Rahane have questioned the effectiveness of left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja in the middle overs of ODIs, where he has appeared to struggle recently.

Story continues below this ad

Former India left-arm pacer Khan pointed out that Jadeja needs to be more aggressive and cannot be just another containing bowler. “The ODI format has changed. You can’t just be a containing bowler in the middle overs,” Khan said recently on Cricbuzz. “Everyone sees that phase as an opportunity to shift momentum, so you can’t just contain; you must also be aggressive and take wickets. Ravindra Jadeja needs to focus on that aspect of his game in ODIs.”

short article insert Jadeja went wicketless in the recent series against New Zealand and didn’t bowl his full quota of 10 overs in either of the games. In the Vadodara ODI, he conceded 56 runs in 9 overs; he gave away 44 in eight overs in Rajkot and 41 in six overs in Indore. In the third ODI, he was introduced only in the 30th over and bowled just six overs.

Story continues below this ad

Rahane said Jadeja has become predictable, failing to provide sufficient variation. “In ODIs, you must have variations. Though Jadeja is a proven performer across conditions, he bowls at a similar pace and can become predictable. With only one fielder up, it becomes easy for the batter if a bowler maintains the same speed. With Axar [Patel], he has variations; he changes his pace and uses angles at the crease really well. So there is healthy competition, and I am sure Jadeja understands this, as he knows his game well,” said Rahane.

Rahane added that a player must evolve with the game based on conditions. “Jadeja likes to keep his game simple with the ball. But you have to evolve based on conditions. On a turning track, he’s lethal. But on a flat wicket, he’ll have to adjust and devise different plans, using angles better,” he said.