IND vs AUS: Ravindra Jadeja to join Test squad following clearance from NCA

Team India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is all set to join the Test series against Australia starting on February 9 in Nagpur after receiving green signal from the National Cricket Academy (NCA). It is understood that the NCA handed a fitness report which has cleared his participation ahead of the crucial Border Gavaskar Trophy thereby allowing him to join the Indian red-ball contingent.

The veteran star all-rounder underwent a surgery in his right knee in September 2022 and has been on the sidelines. Jadeja missed out on a part of the Asia Cup 2022 followed by the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia and the bilateral series against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand. 

The 34-year-old was advised to play one game before participating in the Test series and the all-rounder bagged a seven-wicket haul in a Ranji Trophy game for Saurashtra against Tamil Nadu. Following the Ranji comeback, Jadeja underwent his final round of fitness tests at the NCA and obtain the green signal to join the Test side. 

Team India on the lookout to obtain a spot in WTC Final

Following the series win to New Zealand, team India will shift their focus onto the red-ball series against fierce rivals Australia. It is worth mentioning that the two sides are on the lookout for a place in the summit clash of the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 cycle. 

The Border Gavaskar Trophy has seen 15 series played thus far with team India clinching nine of them whereas Australia won five series and one resulting in a draw. The two heavyweight sides will clash at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur and will conclude with the final contest to be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad between March 9 and March 13. 

India will look for a fourth consecutive win in the series against the Aussies and will also aim to seal the spot in the forthcoming WTC final to be played in June later this year.