![Mohammad Kaif questions Ravindra Jadeja's place in team over Axar Patel [Source: @akshar2026/x.com]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1768637332365_Mohammad-Kaif-questions-Ravindra-Jadeja's-place-in-team-over-Axar-Patel.jpg?type=hq)
Mohammad Kaif questions Ravindra Jadeja's place in team over Axar Patel [Source: @akshar2026/x.com]
Star Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has not been a reliable player in ODIs recently. His stats in the last few games are a testament to that. Even in the ongoing series between India and New Zealand, he hasn’t had the best run with the bat and the ball. Now, former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has questioned Ravindra Jadeja’s place in the team over Axar Patel.
While speaking on his YouTube channel, Kaif argued that Axar brings in more reliability with the bat in white-ball cricket and added that he can bat with a better strike rate and can hit more sixes lower down the order. He believes Axar is also a good option with the ball in powerplays.
"If you have to choose one of the two, Axar is way ahead of Jadeja, even in one day. His strike rate and batting ability, ability to hit sixes – Jadeja does not have that. We have seen it in the IPL as well. In white-ball cricket, Axar is way ahead in batting. Even in bowling, he is ahead. Axar can bowl in the powerplay as well. I do not know why he is not even in the squad. Why are you backing Reddy against New Zealand, who are weak against spin? Anyway, you have Arshdeep, who is sitting out, so there are four pacers already," Kaif said.
Kaif prefers Axar Patel over Nitish Kumar Reddy
Giving a counter opinion, he also stated that Axar could have been paired with Jadeja instead of Nitish Kumar Reddy against New Zealand. Even though Axar is not in the squad, Kaif believes the spin duo could have done well against the Kiwis, who struggle against spin.
"I want Jadeja and Axar to play together. If Axar was there in the last game instead of Reddy, there would be more balance. There is a difference in the bowling between Jadeja and Axar. People say both are left-arm spinners. They are, but both have different styles of bowling. Jadeja comes after the powerplay. 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 too," he added.
Ravindra Jadeja’s dismal performances in ODIs
Ravindra Jadeja, even though an excellent all-rounder, has not delivered consistent performances in the longer white-ball format. He last scored a fifty in ODIs almost 13 years ago, back in 2013. In recent innings as well, he hasn’t made much of an impact with the bat, scoring 4 and 27 against New Zealand in the first two matches.
The story is the same with the ball as well. He has only managed a solitary wicket in his last outings. Against the Black Caps, he has not taken a single wicket in two matches.
He was dropped for the series against Australia but returned for the home matches against South Africa. He will be under a lot of pressure to deliver a big knock, either with the bat or ball, to assure a spot in the team.
