'It is a tough one for them' - Mahela Jayawardene opens up after Ravindra Jadeja misses out on 20-20 World Cup 2022

Mahela Jayawardene, Ravindra Jadeja (Image Source: Twitter)

Ravindra Jadeja suffered an injury during the group stage of the Asia Cup 2022. Jadeja had undergone a surgery last week on his knee. Jadeja had played the two group stage games for India in the continental tournament against Pakistan and Hong Kong. However, following the injury, he was ruled out of the whole tournament.

The exact timing of his return to competitive cricket is unknown and one can only hope for the best. India are all set to board the Australia flight in the absence of the star all-rounder. Ravindra Jadeja’s absence might cost India the World Cup. 

Meanwhile, Mahela Jayawardene has said that Jadeja's exclusion is a massive loss for India. In Cricket Governing Body's review show, the former Sri Lankan said that the team will struggle to find the perfect replacement for the Indian all-rounder. 

“It is a challenge. They had fitted him nicely in that No.5 role. He has been batting really well and him and Hardik (Pandya) being in that top six – two guys who can give that all-round options – gave India much more flexibility in that batting order,” Jayawardene said in the show. 

The 45-year-old further added that the team are short of left-handers and feels that they will miss Ravindra Jadeja badly in the 20-20 World Cup 2022. 

'Not having Ravindra Jadeja will be a massive loss': Mahela Jayawardene

“It is a tough one for them, and probably a concern not having that left-hander. They've switched to leaving out DK (Dinesh Karthik) and bringing in Rishabh (Pant) in that role, batting at 5 or 4. Those are things they have to settle going into the World Cup. But not having Jadeja, the form that he was in... it will be a massive loss for them,” he added further. 

The player has impressed everyone with his all-rounding prowess over the last few years. Finding the right combination in the playing XI in the absence of Ravindra Jadeja would be tough ask for Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid.