The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Sunday clarified that all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was fit when he was included in the Indian squad for the ongoing four-match Test match series Down Under. BCCI also further said that Jadeja’s shoulder injury flared only after landing in Australia.

BCCI had included in India’s 13-man squad for the Perth Test that Virat Kohli-led side lost by 146 runs. BCCI also said he was not included in the playing XI for the second Test because he lacked “required intensity” while bowling during the net sessions.

Earlier on Sunday, team India coach Ravi Shastri had said Jadeja’s shoulder injury took more time to heal than expected.

“We wanted to be careful. Last thing you want is someone breaking down after 5-10 overs and then we would be stuck for players to pick for Melbourne and Sydney,” Ravi Shastri said explaining the reasons behind Jadeja non-inclusion in Perth Test.

Jadeja’s injury has also raised questions about the team’s injury management. Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was also ruled out of Perth Test due to injury.

BCCI has also said that Jadeja is fit and available for the selection in the upcoming Boxing day Test.

“Mr Jadeja’s left shoulder has continued to improve and he is now available for the 3rd Test match of the series in Melbourne,” the BCCI said in a statement.

Clearing the doubts about Jadeja’s injury, BCCI said, “Jadeja complained of a left shoulder discomfort after prolonged bowling spells during the 2018, West Indies ODI series. He underwent a guided injection in Mumbai for this on 2nd November.”

“This gave Mr Jadeja good relief of his symptoms and he played in the Ranji Trophy match for Saurashtra from 12 to 15 November in which he completed 64 overs without any issues. He was thereby declared fit by the BCCI and selected for the Test series against Australia,” the release further said.

“In the lead up to the Perth Test match on 14th December, the management and the all-rounder were of the opinion that the intensity of his bowling in the nets could have been higher, to match the standards required for such an intensely fought series. For this reason, he was not considered for selection for the 2nd Test match,” the statement added.