IND vs ZIM: Ajay Jadeja Mentions The Only Difference Between Ravindra Jadeja And Axar Patel's Game

Former Indian batter Ajay Jadeja dissected the roles of Indian spin bowling all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel in the ODI team.

Jadeja has been defined as one of the greatest all-rounders India have produced in their history. In recent years, Jadeja has upped the ante in his batting and showed the sight of a finisher in white-ball cricket.

Is Ravindra Jadeja in the best form of his career?

The Saurashtra player is also making giant strides in his Test career, getting the big hundreds, the only two of his career achieved this year itself. 

Jadeja has been recognised for bowling quick overs in the middle, picking wickets at crucial junctures and being the undisputed king among Indian fielders. 

The senior Indian player was named the vice-captain of the Indian team for the three-match ODI series against the West Indies last month. But a knee injury ruled him out of the series with Axar Patel replacing him in the team.

It was the first ODI match for Axar after a gap of close to five years with his last appearance in the format being against New Zealand in October 2017.

Axar Patel is on his back: Ajay Jadeja

Axar starred in the second ODI, which India won by two wickets. The all-rounder was unbeaten on 64 off 35 deliveries, hammering three fours and five sixes at a strike rate over 182 to help India win from a nowhere position. 

Ajay Jadeja believes Ravindra has the edge over Axar in terms of fielding, but said the Indian team is blessed to have such great all-rounders. 

“He (Axar) has added to the batting so much more in the last few years, you’d think he is quite ahead because he could bat. But with batting, what he did the other day was that he won a game for India. 

“There’s a difference between scoring runs and bailing a team out and take the game all the way through and win a game. That adds pressure and it is great for Indian cricket,” (Ajay) Jadeja said on Sony Six. 

“You have got two left-armers who bat left-handed. There’s no competition in the fielding standards, I give Axar credit! The only place where Jadeja is way ahead. Numbers, wickets, Jadeja has been around a lot more. At the moment, they are at par with each other. The only thing that really differentiates them is the fielding, he has got that little edge and the experience. Axar is on his back and it’s great for Indian cricket,” Jadeja further said. 

Axar is currently part of India’s ODI series against Zimbabwe with the visitors winning the first ODI by 10 wickets. The second match will be played on Saturday at the Harare Sports Club.

Also Read: IND vs ZIM: Axar Patel Is Still In The Shadow Of Ravindra Jadeja: Aakash Chopra