Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin believes Axar Patel’s bowling has dipped a little in the recent past despite the left-arm spinner taking four wickets against England in the series opener at Edgbaston, Birmingham, on Tuesday.

Ashwin reckons Patel is bowling a very ordinary line these days. Patel was taken to the cleaners in the T20I series against England but made a solid comeback in the opening ODI.

On Tuesday, Patel played a key role in India’s bowling innings, returning with his career-best ODI figures of 4-62. The left-arm orthodox spinner accounted for Jofra Archer, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid and Josh Tongue.

“After a long time, Axar’s batting looked free-flowing. I think many times, because of the rotation, a player does not get a long run. Axar is a free-flowing batter and bowler. When there is no pressure of leadership on him, you will see such performances from him. I think Axar is batting really well. He did take four wickets, but I think his bowling has dropped. There has been a drop because he is bowling a very ordinary line these days,” Ashwin expressed on ‘Ash ki Baat’.

The former CSK all-rounder, if Harshit Rana bats at number eight, then Kuldeep Yadav can get his opportunities.

“Playing two finger-spinning all-rounders will not sit well with the combination for the 2027 World Cup. Both scored fifties, yes, but India need three seamers, Shivam Dube, Hardik, or Nitish as one seam bowling all-rounder, and one spin-bowling all-rounder who could be Axar or Washington. I think Kuldeep should play, and his spot will open up when Harshit is fit and fine and bats at number eight. The management has also not backed Kuldeep enough.”

The second ODI between India and England will be played at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, on Thursday.