IND vs SA: "Nobody Is Missing Him From The Bowling Point Of View" - Ex Indian Cricketer Ajay Jadeja Compares Axar Patel And Ravindra Jadeja

Axar Patel, who won the ‘Player of the Series’ for the first time in the T20 series against Australia, impressed everyone with his performance. Axar has enhanced the quality of Indian bowling and has come as a replacement for Ravindra Jadeja, who was ruled out of the team during the Asia Cup due to injury.

The 28-year-old took eight wickets at an excellent economy of 6.30 and was the highest wicket-taker in the series against Australia. He also bowled well in the powerplay. Former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja feels that Axar has grabbed the opportunity with both hands.

3⃣ Matches
8⃣ Wickets

For his superb bowling performance, @akshar2026 wins the Player of the Series award. ? ?#TeamIndia | #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/aykOxDuIwc

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 25, 2022

Axar Patel grabbed The Opportunity With Both Hands – Ajay Jadeja

“Once Axar Patel had that first game, the kind of quality that he showed, it looked like he had it. He has grabbed the opportunity with both hands. We all miss Ravindra Jadeja, but nobody is missing him from the bowling point of view. Axar Patel has added to the bowling attack, he bats well, it’s only fielding where he cannot match him,” Jadeja told Cricbuzz.

Axar dismissed Aaron Finch, Matthew Wade and Josh Hazlewood in the deciding match against Australia at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad. 

The bowling all-rounder took three wickets and conceded 33 runs in his four overs. Finch and Wade played well throughout the series and by dismissing both of them, he contributed to India’s series win.

“When you look now, the stability is there, they are sure of the people that they want and sure of how they want to play. That, for me, is a very important aspect going into the World Cup. All of the question marks have been answered. The stability of the team, in terms of mindset, is the biggest positive to come out of this series,” Jadeja added.

This year, Axar has played more T20Is than Ravindra Jadeja, who has been suffering from injuries. Axar has 16 wickets at an average of 18.94, while his teammate has only five wickets at an average of 40.

India has three matches left before heading to the T20 World Cup in Australia next month. Rohit Sharma’s team will play a three-match T20 series against South Africa from September 28.

Also read: IND vs SA: Bhuvneshwar Kumar Is Looking Tired, He Will Be Fine After Resting In South Africa Series – Former Australia Opener Matthew Hayden