Ravindra Jadeja set to join India squad ahead of Australia Tests, Shreyas Iyer doubtful

Ravindra Jadeja is set to join the Indian team this week ahead of the upcoming four-match Test series against Australia at home. The star all-rounder proved his match fitness while playing for Saurashtra in their last group-stage fixture, played from January 24-27. However, Shreyas Iyer remains at National Cricket Academy (NCA) as he is recovering from a stiff back. 

Saurashtra lost against Tamil Nadu but Jadeja managed to impress as he scored 15 and 25 and took eight wickets, including seven-for. The BCCI has appointed a special physio who traveled with Jadeja for the Ranji Trophy game and monitored his progress and recovery. As per an ESPNcricinfo report, Jadeja is back at the NCA for further tests and is expected to be fully fit for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023.

Jadeja injured his knee during an adventure sport activity in the 2022 Asia Cup in September last year. He was supposed to make an early return but failed to recover and spent the last few weeks at the NCA. He was included in India's Test team for the Bangladesh tour in December last year, subject to clearing fitness tests. But due to discomfort in his knees, he was ruled out.

Jadeja's last Test was the rescheduled fifth match against England in Edgbaston in August 2022. The 34-year-old stalwart ranks first in the current ICC Test all-rounder chart and remains India's crucial figure in Tests. He has taken 63 Test wickets against Australia at an average of 18.85, therefore his inclusion will be a big boost for the Indian team. 

Shreyas Iyer remains a doubt

Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer is yet to recover from his stiff back. Earlier it was reported that the player was given an injection to help him fight swelling in his lower back. But he is likely to spend more time in NCA till he gets fitness clearance for the first Test in Nagpur, which starts from February 9.

The 28-year-old batter has cemented a place in India's Test team after scoring consistently. He has scored 624 runs at an average of 56.72 in seven Tests so far and amassed 202 runs from three innings in India's last Test series against Bangladesh.