Once an indomitable pair, the career of spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin has been eclipsed by newcomers.

In the ongoing five-match series against Australia, which India have already clinched 3-0, the role of new spinners is noteworthy. Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav were at their best in the first three ODIs as they took six and seven wickets, respectively, in last three matches. Icing on the cake was Kuldeep’s hat-trick in the second ODI in Kolkata.

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Observing the success of young generation spinners, the BCCI invited Axar Patel to join the spin army for the next two ODIs. Both Jadeja and Ashwin missed out as the national selectors announced the 15-member Indian squad, including three spinners, on Monday.

Patel was initially added in the squad for first three ODIs but had to rest due to an ankle injury that he sustained before the series-opener in Chennai. The selectors had included Jadeja as Patel’s cover in the 15-man squad.

The 23-year-old Gujarati spinner was part of India’s limited-over victory troupe that demolished neighbours Sri Lanka before the Australia series. In four ODIs and one-off T20I against the Islanders, Patel claimed six wickets.

Old-school spinners Jadeja and Ashwin have led the Indians to triumph on many occasions, contributing with both the bat and the ball. However, with the passage of time, the preferences seem to have changed for skipper Virat Kohli.

Now, Kohli doesn’t seem much concerned for depth in the batting order, especially at the lower-middle.

With the recent upswing of batsmen like Manish Pandey, MS Dhoni and ever-entertaining hitter Hardik Pandya, Indian batting line-up has enough intensity for limited-over cricket.

Off-spinner Ashwin is currently playing county cricket while Jadeja has been rested since the Test series in Sri Lanka last month.

Playing for Worcestershire, Ashwin has been fairly well so far as he has claimed 13 wickets in three matches.

The ability of both the old-pillars is uncountable and they surely carry a lot under their sleeves. But watching the current tide and Kohli’s determination of building a perfect team for 2019 World Cup, a comeback will not be a cakewalk for Ashwin and Jadeja.