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 massive omission from India’s 18-member facet for the upcoming match.
Whereas the exclusion of Chahal got here as a shock, chief selector Ajit Agarkar defined that the composition of the facet 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 the explanation why Axar Patel getting desire over Yuzvendra Chahal for Asia Cup 2023 is the appropriate transfer:
#3 Higher defensive bowler
Can bowl throughout completely different phases of the innings
Within the IPL and for India, Axar Patel has proven the flexibility 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 affords help to the spinners. Axar is among the most economical bowlers within the IPL and that is the place he ranks above Yuzvendra Chahal as a greater package deal in limited-overs cricket.
#2 Left-hander within the center order
Axar Patel supplies the left-handed possibility with the bat
Axar Patel does not simply present the staff with the left-arm spin prowess of unwavering precision and command, harking back to Ravindra Jadeja’s type, but additionally offers the facet 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 desires and likes to have in his squad – adaptable and receptive to assuming completely different roles primarily based on the calls for of the sport. This attribute is essential within the context of how versatile the facet is as they construct as much as the World Cup slated to be held later this yr.
#1 Batting depth
Gives numerous high quality as a batter decrease down the order
Though Chahal’s kind was regular, Axar Patel pipped him owing to his batting expertise. 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 respectable with the bat.
That is the place gamers like Axar Patel and Shardul Thakur present the much-needed steadiness to the facet. Axar has developed as a correct batter within the decrease order and if the pitches on supply are low and gradual, he generally is a potent possibility – each with the bat and ball.
“We wished 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 offers us depth, after which he’s a left-handed batter,” Rohit Sharma stated in regards to the all-rounder.
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Edited by Sankalp Srivastava