India vs Pakistan: Jadeja’s injury is turning out to be a recurring one, says concerned Aakash Chopra

India are going to face Pakistan in the Super 4s of Asia Cup. The Men in Blue will be without the services of all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who has been sidelined due to a knee injury.

Former India player Aakash Chopra has asked if India can handle the long term consequences of Ravindra Jadeja’s knee injury. Speaking about the Indian all rounder’s injury on his YouTube channel, Chopra called the news disturbing ahead of India's match against Pakistan.

"Jadeja's injury is disturbing news because it is not the first time. It is turning out to be a recurring injury and although you have Axar Patel as a replacement, can you afford Ravindra Jadeja's absence in the long run? He brings the balance to the T20I team just like Hardik does and can even bat at No. 4 or No. 5 if India wants a left-hander."

Ravindra Jadeja’s career has been riddled with injuries since the 2021 T20 World Cup, with the player sidelined for a considerable period of time due to a knee injury. Since his return to cricket, Jadeja has copped blows to his ribs, which kept him out of the final leg of the Indian Premier League as well.

Pondering about the changes that India could make, Chopra said that India might be forced to make radical changes to their playing XI in the absence of Jadeja and one might find Dinesh Karthik getting axed from the team as a consequence.

"Will India make a couple of changes in Jadeja's absence? I am saying this because as good a batter Axar is, you can't send him at No. 4 if you want to neutralise Shadab or Nawaz. So you need Rishabh Pant. But then it also means there is no place for Dinesh Karthik. So you might see radical changes being made."

India are going to face Pakistan in their first Super 4s game on Sunday. After the commencement of the Asia Cup, India will play South Africa and Australia at home, before heading into the T20 World Cup.