Axar Patel, the Indian all-rounder, showcased his excellence by earning the Player of the Match title with remarkable figures of 3/16 against Australia in the fourth T20I series in Raipur. Despite facing challenges after missing the 2023 World Cup due to a quadriceps injury, Axar’s outstanding performance contributed to India’s series win.
However, discussions surround his unexpected exclusion from the T20I squad for the upcoming South Africa tour, where Ravindra Jadeja, another left-arm spinner, has been appointed as the vice-captain despite not playing a T20I since August 2022.
Axar Patel shared images of his performance in Raipur on X and accompanied them with a cryptic message, likely alluding to his exclusion from the T20I squad for the South African tour.
“Move in silence. Only speak when it’s time to say checkmate 🙏🏻🇮�”
https://x.com/akshar2026/status/1730894809387200841?s=46
India’s team for the three T20Is against South Africa:
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Tilak Varma, Arshdeep Singh, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Ravindra Jadeja (VC), Rinku Singh, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan (wk), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Deepak Chahar.
Axar Patel shared insights into being excluded from the T20I series against South Africa
Axar Patel stated that his outstanding performance in Raipur wasn’t driven by a desire to prove a point after not being selected for the T20Is against South Africa.
“These things [selection] are not in my hand. It’s not like my name is not there, so I am fired up. It could be the opposite as well.”
”If I had gone for a few, people would have said I was upset. It works both ways. Nothing like that, I was normal. Obviously, Jaddu bhai [Ravindra Jadeja] is coming back, so I was replaced.”
Axar further added:
“There was nothing of that sort in my mind that I am not in that team, so I have to prove myself. The decision is up to the selectors. I followed what I was doing in the first three matches. I am happy to get among the wickets.”
Axar Patel’s situation will be intriguing if Ravindra Jadeja delivers exceptional performances for India during the South Africa T20Is.
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