At the team’s hotel in Dubai, where the Indian team was based while participating in the Asia Cup T20 tournament, Jadeja was asked to undergo a water-based training activity in the “backward” facility of the premises.
“He had to balance himself on some kind of ski board as part of an adventurous activity, which is not part of the training manual at all. It was absolutely useless. He slipped and severely sprained his knee, which led to surgery, “sources familiar with the developments told TOI.
Jadeja flew to Mumbai and underwent the surgery under the guidance of BCCI consultant and senior orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala.
(Photo credit: Ravindra Jadeja Instagram)
The question we are asked right now is: was skiing required? In view of a tournament as important as the World Cup, was it necessary for one of Team India’s MVPs to have an adventurous activity?
TOI understands that some BCCI officials are already furious about how the injury happened. While no official questions have yet been raised, those in the know say the nature of the injury is so serious and yet bizarre that a thorough explanation will be needed at some point.
(Photo credit: Ravindra Jadeja Instagram)
“What is surprising here is that manager Rahul Dravid has not ‘lost his temper’ given how the injury occurred. Ideally, Dravid would have been expected to question the whole process. That said, the bottom line is: India will travel to Australia without Jadeja, “the sources add.
In the absence of Jadeja, Team India – already out of the Asian Cup – will find themselves further burdened in finding the right replacement. The all-rounder had scored two overs in the opening match of the Asian Cup against Pakistan and was the cheapest of the lot, also scoring 35 runs on 29 balls while beating at number 4 – ahead of Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya – as part of an experiment.
(photo Reuters)
While she didn’t beat Hong Kong in the next game, Jadeja was once against the cheapest of bowlers, delivering just 15 runs in four overs for a wicket.
It is after this match that Jadeja suffered the strange injury and missed India’s second game against Pakistan, the one India lost by five wickets.
