Kane Williamson’s composed 81 kept New Zealand’s chase of 250 alive in the Champions Trophy group stage, but Axar Patel’s precision put an end to his fight. In a moment of pure craft, Axar outfoxed Williamson with a slanted delivery, leading to a swift stumping by KL Rahul.
It was the final ball of Axar’s spell—a masterful 10-0-32-1—marked by pinpoint accuracy and strategic cunning. However, his efforts remained overshadowed by Varun Chakravarthy’s five-wicket haul, a scenario all too familiar for the left-arm spinner.
For years, Axar was unfairly labeled as a “poor man’s Jadeja” due to his similar skillset—left-arm spin and left-handed batting. Yet, breaking out of Jadeja’s shadow was no easy task. The breakthrough came in 2022 when he began sharpening his batting prowess, an effort that bore fruit with a match-winning unbeaten 64 against the West Indies in Barbados.
The Shift to No. 5
A bold move by the Indian team management saw Axar promoted to No. 5, ahead of the experienced KL Rahul, who boasts an average of over 50 in that slot. The decision, met with skepticism, was rooted in a strategic need—India required a left-hander in the middle order, especially after Rahul was designated as the primary wicketkeeper-batter over Rishabh Pant.
Since his shift to No. 5, Axar has registered scores of 52, 41*, 8, 3*, 42, and 27—not staggering numbers but invaluable in match contexts. His 42 against New Zealand at the DICS was a prime example, helping India reach 249 with a crucial 98-run stand alongside Shreyas Iyer while countering the spin duo of Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell.
Backing from the Team Management
Head coach Gautam Gambhir has firmly stood by Axar’s elevation in the batting order.
“We know his quality and ability, and we will continue giving him that opportunity at No. 5. It’s not about individuals; it’s about what works for the team,” said Gambhir.
Skipper Rohit Sharma echoed similar sentiments, revealing that Axar was given clarity about his role at the start of the home ODI series against England.
“The message was clear—no matter the situation, you will bat at No. 5. His batting improvement over the past year has been superb to watch, and we believe he can be an asset in the middle order,” Rohit stated.
The Road Ahead
Axar now has another opportunity to cement his status as an all-rounder in the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand on Sunday. While comparisons with Ravindra Jadeja are premature—given Jadeja’s stellar ODI record—Axar provides India with a seamless transition option once the veteran all-rounder steps away from the game.
For now, Axar Patel is no longer just a backup; he is carving his own identit
