T20 World Cup: Injury to Ravindra Jadeja a massive blow for India, but Virat Kohli returning to form a big plus, says Mahela Jayawardene

cricket great Mahela Jayawardene feels India have suffered a major blow with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja getting injured and not being part of the 15-member squad for the ICC T20 World Cup, set to being in Australia next month. Jadeja underwent a knee surgery a week back and is in the recovery phase, posting messages on social media and keeping his fans updated on his progress. Jadeja had injured his right knee and was ruled out of the 2022 Asia Cup after playing the first two games in the continental event. The 33-year-old had also missed India's tour of the West Indies in July owing to an injury.

"It is a challenge (for India). They had fitted him (Jadeja) 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 on 'The ICC Review' on Saturday. The former Sri Lanka captain said Jadeja's absence will be "a massive loss" to one of the early tournament favourites. "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 No. 5 or 4. Those are the 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," opined Jayawardene. Jayawardene, who became the head coach of Mumbai Indians in 2017 and under whom MI won three IPL titles, was recently elevated to the role of MI's Global Head of Performance and handed over the coaching reins to South African Mark Boucher.

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