Kuldeep Yadav has been picked because the lone wrist-spinner in India’s Asia Cup squad with Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel as the opposite two spinners. However Yuzvendra Chahal was the large omission from India’s 18-member aspect for the upcoming match.
Whereas the exclusion of Chahal got here as a shock, chief selector Ajit Agarkar defined that the composition of the aspect mandated just one wrist-spinner and therefore, each Jadeja and Axar Patel have been included as they may present batting depth as effectively.
Chahal has not had the very best of years so far as his ODI numbers are involved, whereas Axar has been fairly common throughout all codecs for India.
We check out three explanation why Axar Patel getting choice over Yuzvendra Chahal for Asia Cup 2023 is the precise transfer:
#3 Higher defensive bowler
Within the IPL and for India, Axar Patel has proven the power to be a very good defensive bowler who can bowl in numerous phases of the innings. He’s equally adept at bowling within the powerplay as he’s within the center overs.
He’s an correct bowler and is kind of the risk when the pitch gives help to the spinners. Axar is likely one of the most economical bowlers within the IPL and that is the place he ranks above Yuzvendra Chahal as a greater bundle in limited-overs cricket.
#2 Left-hander within the center order
Axar Patel would not simply present the staff with the left-arm spin prowess of unwavering precision and command, paying homage to Ravindra Jadeja’s model, but additionally provides the aspect an opportunity to deploy him increased within the batting lineup, strategically addressing explicit match-up conditions together with his left-handed benefit.
Rohit emphasised that Axar embodies the kind of cricketer he needs and likes to have in his squad – adaptable and receptive to assuming totally different roles primarily based on the calls for of the sport. This attribute is essential within the context of how versatile the aspect is as they construct as much as the World Cup slated to be held later this yr.
#1 Batting depth
Though Chahal’s type was regular, Axar Patel pipped him owing to his batting abilities. One of many huge points for India in limited-overs cricket has been the depth of their batting order. It’s infuriating for the administration since not one of the top-order batters can supply few overs with the ball and not one of the bowlers are first rate with the bat.
That is the place gamers like Axar Patel and Shardul Thakur present the much-needed steadiness to the aspect. Axar has developed as a correct batter within the decrease order and if the pitches on supply are low and sluggish, he generally is a potent possibility – each with the bat and ball.
“We needed somebody who can bat at 8 or 9. Axar has had an excellent run in white ball with the bat this yr. With him there, he provides us depth, after which he’s a left-handed batter,” Rohit Sharma stated concerning the all-rounder.