IND vs AUS LIVE: Deepak Hooda vs Axar Patel: India have six competitive matches to decide Axar Patel or Deepak Hooda, who will play against Pakistan in the first match of the T20 World Cup on October 23. The six matches against Australia and South Africa will decide who is a better fit in the Playing XI. While both played in Asia Cup 2022, the performance wasn’t satisfactory. In Australia, it is unlikely that India can fit both. Hence, one will be dropped for the other. Follow India vs Australia LIVE & T20 World Cup LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
“It will be up to the team management to pick the XI. But it goes without saying batting in middle-overs will need to improve and the six T20s will give us a better idea of who will be the 2nd spinner. Ashwin is the most decorated among all and has improved his batting too in T20s. But we need someone who can score quick runs in those middle-overs,” a member of the selection committee told InsideSport.
IND vs AUS LIVE: Deepak Hooda & Axar Patel set for 6 CRUCIAL matches to decide who will be in India’s Playing XI for T20 World Cup, Check OUT
The pace-friendly wickets in Australia will force Team India to go with three specialist pacers in the Playing XI. With Hardik Pandya another sure-shot selection besides the Top 4, India have only two places to deliberate on. While it will come down to Rishabh Pant vs Dinesh Karthik, the other battle will be for the spin-all-rounder slot. Deepak Hooda, Axar Patel and even Ravichandran Ashwin will be fighting for that spot.
IND vs AUS LIVE: Deepak Hooda vs Axar Patel – who will get the nod?
- Despite performing well, Axar Patel has largely been overlooked in T20Is.
- He is a left-arm spinner and has played some match-winning knocks with the bat to establish himself as an all-rounder.
- However, Axar has been inconsistent with both bat and the ball and that is the selectors’ dilemma.
- In the last 12 months, Axar has scored averaged just 18.00 with the bat, striking the ball at 144.00 strike rate.
- In terms of bowling, he has only bagged 12 wickets in 14 matches at an economy rate of 7.68.
- The other problem with Axar is that he is not a top-order option to experiment with.
- However, he is one of the few left-handers in the squad, making him a valuable addition.
- Deepak Hooda, on the other hand, gives the team flexibility.
- Hooda has batted from opening to No 7 in all positions.
- However, Hooda hasn’t been a reliable power-hitter at No 6-7 positions.
- To make things worse, Rohit Sharma hasn’t trusted his spin bowling as much.
- Apart from the century opening the innings against Ireland, Hooda hasn’t had his bat talking as much.
- Although Hooda has scored 293 runs in 9 innings at an average of 41.85, his place in the top-order is almost impossible.
- At No 6-7, he hasn’t done that well.
- With the ball, he has got just 6 overs, picking up just one wicket at an economy rate of 5.33.
- The Australia and South Africa series will have six crucial T20Is to establish their claims.
IND vs AUS LIVE: Deepak Hooda & Axar Patel set for 6 CRUCIAL matches to decide who will be in India’s Playing XI for T20 World Cup, Check OUT
With Ravindra Jadeja, India could afford to play him at No 5 or at No 7 depending on the situation. However, with both Hooda and Axar, there will be limitations.
If Hooda manages score some runs and does well with the ball whenever he gets the opportunity, it would be difficult for Axar Patel. However, what India need is a powerhitter like Karthik. If Axar scores some quick runs at No 6, he could keep the heat on the team management. The 6 T20Is will decide who gets in against Pakistan on October 23.
India Squad for Australia T20Is: Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Dinesh Karthik (wicket-keeper), Hardik Pandya, R. Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohd. Shami, Harshal Patel, Deepak Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah.
India squad for South Africa T20Is: Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Dinesh Karthik (wicket-keeper), R. Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Mohd. Shami, Harshal Patel, Deepak Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah.
IND vs AUS LIVE: Deepak Hooda & Axar Patel set for 6 CRUCIAL matches to decide who will be in India’s Playing XI for T20 World Cup, Check OUT
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