Life can sometimes be harsh even more so when you are doing the majority of things correctly. Axar Patel, who ticked almost all boxes in the first three T20Is against Australia on batting-friendly pitches in India, now finds out himself of the T20 series against South Africa. With only six T20Is to go before the T20 World Cup 2024, is this a sign that Axar’s hopes of playing the showpiece event are diminished?
Well, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel has surely dropped a hint. Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Ravi Bishnoi are the spinners the BCCI selectors have picked for the Proteas tour. Jadeja, who was rested for the T20 series against Australia, is back in the reckoning in the T20 series. Apart from the all-rounder, even Sundar is a similar mold of bowler like Axar Patel.
However, netizens are having major issues that Jadeja is preferred over Axar. Ravindra Jadeja, who is 35 and has shown mixed returns in the T20 setup so far is still being backed by BCCI which has become a mystery for most fans. ICT enthusiasts have taken to X to understand the logic behind Jadeja getting a nod rather than an in-form Axar.
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End of road for Axar Patel in T20 World Cup?
With only six T20Is to go before the T20 World Cup, Axar Patel missing out on the South Africa series is a huge indication that the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel still has trust in Jadeja. While the southpaw was the star of CSK in the IPL 2023 season, picking 20 wickets, he had a mixed outing with bat in hand.
Whereas, Axar impressed in the IPL 2023 season, scoring over 200 runs in the finisher role. Also, in the ongoing T20 series against Australia, Axar has managed to perform decently on batting-heavy pitches.
However, still, Jadeja has got a go-ahead, despite playing limited T20Is. Axar now has it wait for his turn, and hope he gets a nod for the last T20 series before the World Cup – against Afghanistan. If the Southpaw still does not get selected for that series, then only a good IPL 2024 season will help him back in the reckoning.
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