Former Indian fast bowler Laxmipathy Balaji has questioned Axar Patel’s exclusion from India’s playing XI against South Africa in the ongoing T20 World Cup. India preferred Washington Sundar ahead of Patel because of the matchups but Balaji was not impressed by the selection tactics.
The former CSK bowler said India must also bring a right-hander in their top three against Zimbabwe. The former pacer believes India could once struggle at 20-3 if Ishan Kishan gets dismissed cheaply.
Meanwhile, Sundar could not deliver against the Proteas, returning with figures of 0-17 in his two overs whereas could only manage 11 runs.
Balaji said on Subramaniam Badrinath’s YouTube Channel, “Your core needs to be settled. If a player is being replaced because of injury, then it is fine. But to drop a player, who is a primary star and a major part of the World Cup-winning squad, for matchups is wrong. Axar Patel is a huge player. How can you use matchups against Axar Patel? The 11 that played against South Africa won’t win you a World Cup. The 11 with Axar and a right-hander at the top is a must. Otherwise, it feels like if Ishan Kishan doesn’t click, it’ll become 20/3.”
“The way they cut and chop shows the team combination is still not set. It’s already a very inexperienced top order, and someone or the other just bails the team out every match. Even though Rabada hasn’t bowled well, South Africa hasn’t changed their 11. They’ve kept the same core. A quality bowler will be quality irrespective of being a left-hander or right-hander.”
On the other hand, Badrinath said Axar Patel should replace Washington Sundar against Zimbabwe.
“There is no guarantee India would have won with Axar Patel against South Africa. But there is no denying that India missed him dearly as a bowler and down the order as a batter. Axar should be back in place of Washington Sundar. For three left-handers, India dropped Axar Patel. Yet, with six left-handers in India, South Africa still played Keshav Maharaj,” said Badrinath (via the aforementioned source).
