Why Ravindra Jadeja, Shubman Gill Haven't Travelled With India?

image-lpw53rt4Gill and Jadeja are part of T20 and Test squads vs South Africa (Twitter)

Integral to Team India's plans on the marquee all-format tour of South Africa, premier allrounder Ravindra Jadeja and rising opening batter Shubman Gill are yet to join the rest of the Men in Blue who reached the Proteas shores on Wednesday (December 6). 

Even as a major portion of the enlarged squad picked for 3 T20Is, 3 ODIs and 2 Tests has stepped on turf in the rainbow nation, they are yet to join by the critical pairing of Jadeja and Gill alongside white-ball seamer Deepak Chahar. 

As is known, Chahar, who is part of the ODIs and T20I squads picked on tour, is currently at home due to a family health emergency. He had requested leave from the team ahead of the fifth and final T20I of the just-concluded home series versus Australia and has been at his residence since. 

It is understood Chahar's father is undergoing illness and it is not clear when the Rajasthan and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) pacer will be available for selection. For now, the selection committee has not named any replacement for him. 


Jadeja, Gill Yet To Reach South Africa 

More eyeballs, however, are reserved for the immediate absence of Jadeja and Gill, who are due to play the T20I and Test match legs of the tour and will be taking part in an intra-squad three-day clash while the ODIs are being played to cater to their Test series preparations. Jadeja is even the vice-captain of the T20I side. 

Both players are currently on holiday in Europe since completing their duties at the ICC World Cup 2023, which concluded on November 19. According to Cricbuzz, there is a strong likelihood that they will be travelling straight from their respective slots to the rainbow nation. 

Apart from the senior team's itinerary, India will also be sending an 'A' squad to take part in a three-match first-class series against the hosts. The BCCI has thus decided to send two selectors - SS Das and Salil Ankola - for the tour to ensure all matches are observed closely and players can be handpicked as per the requirements of the senior side.