![Axar Patel failed to deliver in the second ODI Vs NZ [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1794113764565_AxarPatelfailedtodeliverinthesecondODIVsNZ.jpg?type=hq)
Axar Patel failed to deliver in the second ODI Vs NZ [Source: AFP]
Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has backed Gautam Gambhir and Shubman Gill’s decision to promote Axar Patel to number 5 ahead of KL Rahul in the second ODI against New Zealand.
In the last couple of matches, Axar, who generally bats at 6 or 7, has been promoted to 5, and the decision has yet to pay dividends. In the second ODI, Axar failed to deliver, and was dismissed for just 7 off 17 balls as he struggled to score.
Gavaskar defends Gambhir, Gill for Axar's promotion
While a large section of the Indian fans have been criticising the Indian team management for sending Axar ahead of KL Rahul, Gavaskar has defended the move, stating that it was a tactical call by the management.
"The bowlers have slight difficulty if a left-handed batter comes because you have to change the line and length you would have for a right-hander. In trying to do that, your line can change slightly even to the right-hander, where more chances of getting runs are created," Gavaskar explained, speaking on Sony Sports network after the game.
"There was nothing wrong with that thought process. If Axar had scored runs, you would have said how good the captaincy was. Such moves work at times and don't work on other occasions, and it didn't work this time. You also knew there was a solid player like Rahul after him. That's why you experiment at times," he added.
The Axar Patel promotion move has worked in the past for India
In the last few games, sending the all-rounder ahead of KL Rahul has not rewarded the Indian team, but in the past, it has worked wonders for the Men in Blue.
The most obvious example was his promotion in the T20 World Cup 2024 final against South Africa, when he played a quickfire knock and forged a match-winning partnership alongside Virat Kohli.
Moreover, he was also entrusted with the job ahead of KL Rahul in India’s Champions Trophy 2025 winning campaign, wherein he played match-winning knocks, especially in the semifinal and the final.
However, there is also a belief that in SENA conditions, KL Rahul is more suited for the number 5 role, rather than Axar, who struggles against pace and bounce.
