Parthiv Patel, a former cricketer from India, has expressed his preference for Axar Patel over Ravindra Jadeja in the Indian team for the 2024 T20 World Cup, which is set to begin on June 2 in the United States and the West Indies. During the current series against Afghanistan, Axar Patel has been in outstanding form, taking four wickets at an economy rate of five and an average of 10 in just two games.
In the second T2OI, India secured an unassailable 2-0 series lead with a Player of the Match effort that included figures of 2/17 in four overs on a batting-friendly Indore wicket. Overall T20I figures for the two are comparable: Axar averages 24.20, while Jadeja averages 28.41 with the ball, and Jadeja averages 22.85 over Axar’s 19 at bat. However, Axar has played significantly more in the format for India since 2023, with 15 matches compared to Jadeja’s two.
Axar Patel doesn’t bowl in a one-dimensional way and bats at any number- Parthiv Patel
Speaking to Jio Cinemas, Parthiv Patel thought Axar was preferable to Jadeja in T20Is because of his versatility with the ball and ability to bat at any position.
“In this format, yes. I think Axar brings in more variety. He doesn’t bowl in a one-dimensional way. He bats at any number. If you look at this Indian team, you need a power hitter, and Axar brings that. And in this format, Axar is ahead of Jadeja, as far as I am concerned,” said Parthiv Patel
As per Parthiv Patel, Axar Patel is a valuable asset who can thrive in different playing conditions because of his adaptability and efficacy during powerplays. He feels that the squad is stabilized by Axar Patel’s ability to execute consistently, particularly during powerplays.
“He is someone who can perform everywhere. In this T20 format, yes, we talk about Ravindra Jadeja, but I think Axar gives you that stability. He bowls in powerplays, and it makes him an even better cricketer,” he added.
Axar Patel’s strength is the accuracy with which he bowls – Parthiv Patel
Even though Jadeja is superior to him in Tests and ODIs, Axar Patel has established himself in the shortest format as a left-arm spinner. Axar has taken 15 wickets in as many games since the beginning of 2023, with an average of 22 and an economy rate of less than seven.
Parthiv Patel emphasized that one of the main things that effectively tests batters is Axar Patel’s pace of bowling. He highlighted Axar Patel’s accuracy and pointed out that because he doesn’t bowl in the hitting zone, batsmen find it challenging to attack him without moving or making room.
“His strength is the accuracy with which he bowls with. He doesn’t bowl in the slot, most of the time. If you want to hit him, you have to hit him use the feet or make room. And using feet is not easy against him because of the pace with which he bowls,” Parthiv Patel highlighted.
With Ravi Bishnoi putting up a strong argument for a second spinner slot in the T20 World Cup and Kuldeep Yadav all but guaranteed, the squad management may have to decide between Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja. The third and final match of India’s current series against Afghanistan will take place in Bangalore on January 17 as India prepares for the World Cup.