Former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer feels the Indian team management missed a trick in the last match by sending in-form Axar Patel lower down the order despite being India’s best batter in the current series. The left-arm spinner was unbeaten in both the innings but he simply ran out of partners and could not continue. Hence Jaffer feels that the team management missed a major trick by not sending him in higher up the order.
Axar might have been quiet with the ball in hand but he has scored 185 runs and is the second-highest run scorer with two fifties. He has a batting average of 92.50, with two fifties and a highest score of 84.
Jaffer shared his thoughts regarding Axar Patel’s promotion in the batting order considering his sublime form. He opined that he was deeply disappointed when he saw Axar Patel not being promoted in either of the innings at Indore.
“I was surprised and disappointed as Axar Patel’s contribution was critical to India’s win in Delhi. Axar Patel has looked most comfortable of all Indian batters and he was also unbeaten in the previous Test. He batted at number nine in the second innings and ran out of partners. Hence, India messed up tactically as they sent KS Bharat and Ashwin ahead of Axar,” Jaffer said on ESPN Cricinfo.
Axar has shown great determination and perseverance with the willow albeit having a dry spell with the ball. Looking at his form, Jaffer feels Axar must be playing in the top 7 and not below that.
“He has been in amazing form with the bat in the last few games and he shouldn’t bat below six or seven. Ravindra Jadeja can bat at number five and Axar can’t bat below seven. India should capitalize on his form better. With Jadeja and Ashwin, he bowls a lot lesser. Hence, a third spinner is understandable,” Jaffer added.
The left-arm spinner has stitched two match defining partnerships with Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin in Nagpur and Delhi respective which ultimately gave the hosts the upper hand.
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