Will Young in pursuit of records, Daryl Mitchell’s partnership and Indore decider | IND vs. NT
Mohammad Kaif faced the issue head on and offered a blunt assessment comparing Jadeja to Axar Patel. “If you have to choose between the two, Axar is way ahead of Jadeja. Even in one day. His strike rate and batting speed, ability to hit sixes, Jadeja doesn’t have that,” Kaif said on his YouTube channel. “In the white ball, Axar is way ahead in batting. Even in bowling, he is ahead. Axar can play the power game as well,” he added. Kaif also questioned the team combination used against New Zealand, especially when rotation is expected to play a key role. “I don’t know why he is not even in the team. Why are you backing Reddy against New Zealand, who are weak against spin. Anyway, you have Arshdeep who is sitting, so there are already four pacers,” Kaif said. Axar, India’s T20I vice-captain, was left out of the ODI squad for the New Zealand series despite featuring in India’s Champions Trophy squad last year, a decision Kaif clearly disagreed with. The discussion also turned towards Nitish Kumar Reddy’s selection and overall balance. “I want Jadeja and Axar to play together. Had Axar been there instead of Reddy in the last game, there would have been more balance,” Kaif said. “There is a difference in bowling between Jadeja and Axar. People say they are both left-arm spinners. They are, but they both have different bowling styles. Jadeja comes after the power bowler. Axar can take the new ball. He is the best bowler with the new ball. He took wickets with the new ball in the Champions Trophy as well,” he added. As India continue to back Jadeja in ODIs, the debate about balance, form and alternatives is getting louder.