All-Rounder Axar Patel, who is fast-track to the National team based on stellar IPL performances, has expressed his happiness over his selection for the remaining two Tests against Australia to be held at Melbourne and Sydney.
Ravindra Jadeja, who was initially a part of the Test squad, was ruled out due to a shoulder injury and Axar Patel was named as his replacement for the remaining matches.
During Gujarat’s Ranji match against Saurashtra, Axar Patel, while speaking to the reporters, was quoted in saying:
“I am very happy being selected for the Indian team for the next two Test matches. I am eagerly waiting to play in Australia.”
Axar has played a total of 9 ODIs, in which he has taken 14 wickets. Although, Axar is not likely to reach in time for the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne because of his Ranji match, but he’ll surely be a part of the squad that features in the Sydney Test.
Traditionally, the Sydney pitch favours spinners a lot and it would be interesting to see whether Dhoni goes with Axar so as to give him a proper feel of the Australian conditions just before the ICC World Cup 2015.
Image Courtesy: mid-day