Ravindra Jadeja declared fit for 3rd Test by BCCI

BCCI has announced that left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja is fit and is available for the third Test against Australia.

Jadeja’s shoulder improved, now available for third Test: BCCI

In a statement, BCCI has said that in the lead-up to the Perth test, the management and Jadeja were of the opinion that the intensity of his bowling in the nets could have been higher. For this reason, he was not considered for selection.

The statement further stated that Jadeja’s left shoulder has continued to improve and he is now available for the third test of the series in Melbourne.

Cricket: India all-rounder Jadeja declared fit for third test https://t.co/QEsOw8qrrJ #INDvAUS

— Reuters Asia (@ReutersAsia) December 23, 2018

Shastri revealed Jadeja not 100% fit

The statement by BCCI has come after India coach Ravi Shastri revealed that the left-arm spinner wasn’t 100% fit and hence was overlooked for the second Test.

Shastri had said that when you are millions of miles away, it is very easy to fire blanks. He explained that the problem with Jaddu was that he had taken an injection four days into coming to Australia because of some stiffness in his shoulder, and it took a while for that injection to settle down.

Shastri explained that when you look at Perth, the team management felt Jadeja was about 70-80% fit, and they didn’t want to risk that in Perth.

He also noted that if the Indian cricketer is 80% here, at Melbourne he will play.

Shastri's revelation that Jadeja was 70-80% fit for Perth is disturbing because, given that Bhuvi wasn't probably 100% either, it means only 13 were available for selection.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 23, 2018

Saurashtra coach refutes Shastri’s claims

The Indian coach also stated that Jadeja was feeling stiffness even before arriving in Australia. However, Saurashtra coach Sitanshu Kotak has refuted these claims.

Also read: Mitchell Johnson impressed by this Indian pacer 

Kotak said that there was no fitness issue at all when he was playing for Saurashtra. Neither there was any stiffness which you are talking about.

He noted that had there been any stiffness or any injury Jadeja would have not played Ranji Trophy, or at least he would have told them.