Former New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris reckons Axar Patel is probably behind Ravindra Jadeja for a place in the Indian team. Patel scored a match-winning knock of 64 runs off just 35 balls in the second ODI against the West Indies at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad on Sunday.
India had their backs against the wall but Patel was able to get his team over the line. In fact, the left-handed all-rounder was playing for India in ODI cricket after almost five years but he was able to grab his opportunity.
On the other hand, Ravindra Jadeja has been a consistent performer for India in recent years and his batting has improved tremendously. Jadeja can provide crucial runs while batting with the lower middle order batters. However, Jadeja was ruled out of the ongoing series against the West Indies due to a niggle in his left knee.
Styris said while talking to Sports 18, “He is probably behind Ravindra Jadeja when you look at that A (full-strength) team. But if you continue to perform like this, then there is no question that you could even play both, that’s the best part of it.”
As Jadeja and Patel are similar types of bowlers, Styris believes that the latter is at a disadvantage as he doesn’t bring anything different to the table if you compare him with the former.
“India do like to pick spinners and a lot of them. You do like the ball turning in both directions, that’s the one thing that he does have against him when you compare him to Jadeja.”
Styris added that Axar Patel’s knock of 64 runs was the difference between the two teams. Patel scored his maiden ODI fifty and batted at the top of his game. The left-hander scored his runs at a strike rate of 180 and played a key part in India’s two-wicket win.
“The other thing too is the tournament being in India next year, there is where spinners will play their part, particularly through the middle, and that innings of his is what separated the two teams. His 64 off 35 deliveries, 180 strike rate, that wins you matches, not just in T20s but ODI cricket as well.”
Styris gave credit to the rise of the Indian Premier League for Patel’s knock. Former Kiwi player added that the Indian players get the exposure of playing in tough match situations and it helps them in International cricket.
“The Indian T20 league where these players get to play those aggressive shots and win matches single-handedly gives them the confidence and they are fearless today. That innings from Axar Patel was exactly that.”
The third ODI between India and West Indies will be played on Wednesday.
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